High-carbon industries produce higher volumes of pollution which could hinder London’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2050.
The London Assembly has today called on the Mayor to avoid working with companies that produce high levels of carbon and companies that do little to reduce their emissions.
Léonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Whether it be the rollout of the ULEZ or fossil fuel divestment, City Hall has been at the forefront when it comes to tackling air pollution and addressing the climate emergency.
“If City Hall is going to continue to lead by example, it is vital that the Mayor takes measures to incentivise partner organisations to adopt ambitious commitments to cutting carbon-emissions.
“It is equally important that City Hall avoids working with high-carbon companies that cynically use limited and small-scale green activities and initiatives to cultivate and promote a hollow environmentally conscious image”.
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly believes that, in the context of the climate emergency, companies and public bodies must take all possible action to transition away from high-carbon industries.
This Assembly also notes and welcomes the Mayor’s actions to divest the London Pension Fund Authority from fossil fuel industries, which have reduced the LPFA’s equivalent holdings to £22.8m or 0.4% of its assets under management (AUM) and increased the ‘green’ investments to £134.8m or 2.25% of AUM.
This Assembly calls on the Mayor to:
- Assess all potential partner organisations against their commitments to cut carbon emissions from their activities, including whether they directly produce renewable, zero-carbon energy and the percentage of their research and development budgets invested in developing zero-carbon alternatives.
- Celebrate and prioritise for partnerships companies who are taking their climate responsibilities seriously and are heavily committed to reducing their climate impact.
Avoid working with companies that seek to “greenwash” their reputations with small, limited activities while still devoting most of their resources and/or profits to high-carbon activities.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast
- The motion was agreed by 12 votes for and 0 against.
- Léonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Aoife Nolan on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.