Engage with Londoners to boost chances of net zero 2030

In 2022, the Mayor of London set an ambitious target of making London ’net zero’ by 2030, a full twenty years ahead of the national target. However, with five years until 2030, London is currently not on track to meet the target.

Achieving the Mayor’s 2030 net zero target will require Londoners to see the benefits of changes, which is why the London Assembly Environment Committee is calling on the Mayor to set out a public engagement strategy and innovate further public engagement approaches to help London reach the ambitious target.

Involving Londoners in the pathway to Net Zero by 2030 – published today highlights key findings from the Committee’s investigation into progress on the Mayor’s net zero 2030 target.

Throughout its investigation, Committee Members heard that while it is important to be honest about challenges, and the work to overcome them, it is also important to clearly communicate the range of benefits that new approaches can bring.

Key recommendations in the report include:

• The Mayor should publish a net zero dashboard, updated at least annually, reporting progress on a set of key indicators and milestone actions to track progress on the emissions pathway to net zero by 2030.
• By October 2025, the Mayor should set out a public engagement strategy for net zero, co-ordinated with London Councils, with funding allocated to ensure that representative voices from all parts of the capital and backgrounds are heard in discussions about London’s climate challenges.
• The Mayor should innovate further in public engagement approaches, and give Londoners a greater role in how money is spent through participatory budgeting.

Zack Polanski AM, former Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, said:

“The Mayor’s 2030 net zero target for London is highly ambitious, but the figures show that we are currently not on track to meet that goal.

“This is a critical time to accelerate London’s transformation to a cleaner, greener city, and the Mayor needs to work with Londoners to bring about the changes needed .

“There is an opportunity to bring about a transition that improves the city for everyone, with cleaner travel , and saving Londoners money in powering their homes – but meaningful engagement will be essential.

“Highlighting the opportunities and understanding the challenges to balancing London’s emissions will be hugely beneficial, to help Londoners to make the necessary adaptations, but they need support from the Mayor and Government along the way.

“Our report highlights some key steps the Mayor can take to help provide the boost needed to push London towards net zero carbon, but action must be taken urgently.”

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