Seek external investment to drive climate resilience

This summer, London experienced four separate heatwaves. 

Data shows that to August this year the London Fire Brigade has spent more than £1m responding to excess flood and wildfire events caused by our changing climate.

Many millions more has been spent on damage to homes, businesses and public services.

The London Assembly has today called on the Mayor to continue to champion much needed action towards climate resilience across London, and to work with government and consider alternative funding sources to procure up-front investments in climate resilience.

Leonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“London is already feeling the cost of the climate emergency, from rising flood damage to fires caused by heatwaves.

“London must keep tackling the problem at its root cause by decarbonising and greening our city.

“We must keep London resilient to the effects of climate change by doing things like investing in drainage systems and planning our homes so that they don't overheat and are energy efficient."

The full text of the motion is:

The London Assembly notes that London is already paying the cost of inaction in tackling the climate emergency.

Data shows that to August this year it has already cost the London Fire Brigade alone more than £1m to respond to excess flood and wildfire events caused by our changing climate. This is not including the millions more in damages to homes, businesses and public services.

The Assembly notes the significant efforts already taken by the Mayor in response to the climate emergency. This includes his commissioning of the landmark London Climate Resilience Review, establishment of the Climate Fund to progress decarbonisation efforts and the continued greening of London through planting over 570,000 trees and financing sustainable drainage systems.

Given that this summer London experienced four separate heatwaves, this Assembly appreciates the action taken by the Mayor to bring forward an Excess Heat Strategy by spring 2026. With more than 50% of our housing stock at risk of overheating, rising to 75% for social rent homes, this strategy is urgently needed without delay.

The Assembly calls on the Mayor to continue to champion much needed action towards climate resilience across the city and to work with the government and alternative funding sources to procure greater up-front investment – reducing risks to people and nature as well as pressures on the public purse in the years ahead.

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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