The Mayor of London has appointed a new Chairman of his London Sustainable Development Commission, and tasked him with helping the capital meet the environmental challenges posed by a population that is set to increase by 37 per cent to more than 11 million people by 2050.
Greg Barker, the Member of Parliament for Bexhill and Battle, will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position, from his former role as a Minister in the Department for Energy & Climate Change, and as the Prime Minister’s envoy on climate change.
A new Deputy Chairman of the London Sustainable Development Commission has also been appointed. Paul Turner is the Sustainable Business Director for Lloyds Banking Group.
The Mayor is already consulting on an infrastructure plan that outlines the work required to allow the capital to continue to grow sustainably while delivering the improvements that will keep London the best city to live, work and invest in.
Today (13 November) the Mayor also invited Greg Barker to join senior figures from the public sector and some of the UK’s biggest firms on his new Infrastructure Delivery Board, which will play a key role in helping meet the challenges posed by population growth.
London is already the leading centre for low carbon finance and has built a worldwide reputation for financial and technical expertise. The Mayor has asked the Commission under its new leadership to pay particular attention to work to accelerate the growth of low carbon industries in the capital. The aim will be to help London earn an international reputation as a centre for excellence in the use and development of clean technologies, and to ensure the capital reaps the economic rewards that can result from that level of excellence.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Greg’s experience in Government at the forefront of the UK’s response to climate change, coupled with Paul Turner's extensive background in business, means they are the ideal candidates for these very important jobs. They have the opportunity to play key roles in meeting the challenge of our rapidly growing population and helping our green businesses to thrive.”
The London Sustainable Development Commission was established in 2002 to advise the Mayor of London on sustainability issues including ways to improve and protect Londoners' quality of life now and in the future. It is made up of experts from the economic, social, environmental and London governance sectors. Their brief is to ensure sustainability is at the core of policies and strategies impacting on London, and to help make sustainability a meaningful concept for Londoners.
Greg Barker MP, the new Chairman of the London Sustainable Development Commission, said: “I am delighted to be the new Chair of the LSDC. The Commission has a vital role to play in securing London’s sustainable economic future. Under my leadership we will be working hard to advise on putting plans and policies in place to unlock the jobs and investment potential in our green economy, embed sustainability in the Mayor’s long term economic plan and ensure London is at the cutting edge for global green innovation.”
New Deputy Chairman of the London Sustainable Development Commission, Paul Turner, added: "This is an exciting time for the LSDC. With such a clear brief from the Mayor we aim to implement sustainable business solutions to improve the quality of life for people right across the capital. A sustainable green business sector is no longer a luxury, it is absolutely vital to secure the long term success of our great capital city."