Climate Action Week
Dear Editor,
Climate Action Week is a reminder that we still have a long way to go to cut down on carbon emissions and air pollution, to meet our global environmental commitments.
But in our capital, we have seen a lot of progress being made on this.
Over the last five years, measures taken by City Hall, such as the introduction of the ULEZ in Central London, have helped towards a 94% decrease in the number of Londoners living in areas exceeding legal nitrogen dioxide pollution limits.
We also know that investment in green infrastructure in London, not only boosts the UK’s progress towards becoming net-zero carbon, but also pays dividends for other regions in our country.
Last week, we saw City Hall roll out England’s first-ever fleet of hydrogen buses which will add to the 500 electric buses already on London’s roads, helping to clamp down on toxic air levels. The manufacturing of these buses also created jobs in many other parts of the UK, such as Northern Ireland, Oxford, Nottingham and Runcorn.
We must now see a commitment from the Government to introduce a new Clean Air Act and amend their Environment Bill to give cities like London more powers and resources to fight against the climate emergency.
Yours,
Sem Moema AM
London Assembly Member for Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest