ENERGY IN LONDON
LONDON ENERGY STRATEGY
In March 2003, the UK Government published its Energy White Paper "Our energy future - creating a low carbon economy". This committed the UK to meeting a 20% reduction of Green House Gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2010, and 60% of 1990 levels by 2050.
It also set targets for the UK to source 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010, 20% by 2020, and 30% to 40% by 2050. By 2000, the UK was only sourcing 1.3% of its electricity from renewable sources.
The Mayor's London Energy Strategy, currently under consultation, aims to address London's contribution to these targets. London uses as much energy each year as Greece and Portugal and emits 41 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year, 7% of the UK's overall emissions. Therefore London has particular responsibility to address its domestic, commercial and public sector energy use.
Read Jean's response to the first draft of London's Energy Strategy
The second draft of the Energy Strategy proposes that London should reduce CO2 emissions by 20% from the 1990 level by 2010 and should supply at least 14% of its electricity from renewable energy (generated both inside and outside the capital) by 2010.
Other proposals include:
· 300,000 new energy efficient homes to be built over the next 15 years
· 10,000 domestic photovoltaic (PV) schemes to be installed
· 100 PV applications on commercial and public buildings
· 25,000 domestic solar water heating schemes by 2010
· 6 large wind turbines and 500 small wind turbines in operation in London
by 2010
· Double CHP capacity by 2010 and CHP to be included in all new developments
where feasible
· All planning applications referred to the Mayor to generate at least
10% of power and heat required from renewable sources.
Read the Draft Energy Strategy
HOW WILL THESE TARGETS BE MET?
Jean Lambert is very concerned that there are not going to be enough people qualified to implement this technological revolution. London needs to rapidly expand the number of people in its workforce trained to implement the technical solutions required for the energy targets (both in terms of initial application and on-going maintenance): in particular in the fields of Engineering, Building Services, Construction, and Utilities (Electrics and Plumbing). She has published a report with Capacity Global on the need to mainstream sustainability throughout training and education.
Read report: Integrating Social Inclusion and the Environment
ENERGY CONFERENCE, City Hall, October 2002
In October 2002, Jean Lambert co-hosted a conference at London's City Hall on 'Moving to renewable energy sources in an energy efficient London'. Her co-host was Victor Anderson, then elected Green representative to the London Assembly and Environment Advisor to the Mayor
Read about the conference and download the presentations
Download the conference report (pdf)
LOCAL AUTHORITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The Home Energy Conservation Act passed in 1995 requires Local Authorities to have a strategy that includes energy efficiency schemes such as the ones outlined above. Ministers have repeatedly made clear that work carried out under this Act should lead to a 30% improvement in energy efficiency between 1995 and 2010. To be on track for such an improvement, Councils should have managed at least a 12% improvement by April 2002.
Many Councils are falling badly behind.
Read Friends of the Earth Press Release
Check how YOUR local authority is doing - download Government figures
The Green Party's ALTERNATIVE ENERGY REVIEW, published in Spring 2003, is simply packed with energy efficiency recommendations for all levels of government, including Local Councils.
Read the Green Party's Alternative Energy Review
Read the summary energy efficiency recommendations for Local Councils
!Useful links!
WASTE IN LONDON
London produces 17 million tonnes of waste each year. Households alone
produce enough waste to fill the Royal Albert Hall every day – 3.4
million tonnes. The city is already struggling to deal with current waste
levels, and
with household waste on track to double by 2020, London simply will not
cope. Our waste management practices must change. Most of our waste is
burned or buried. Just 8% of household is recycled, which is one of the
worst recycling rates in Western Europe.
A fairly significant body of European legislation has already been produced in the field of waste disposal. The UK Government is required to incorporate these European Directives into national legislation.
Jean has produced a report 'London - Waste in Crisis' outlining the impact waste is having on our city, and providing explanations of each of the major European Directives.
Download 'London - Waste in Crisis' report here
WHAT ELSE IS JEAN DOING?
WEEE DIRECTIVE
Jean is supporting the UK Cartridge Recycling Association (UKCRA) in a campaign to ensure the Government's implementation of the WEEE Directive doesn't spell the end for the cartridge recycling industry.
Read Jean's letter to the Government
BEXLEY INCINERATOR
Jean has joined local residents to fight a proposed waste incinerator at Belvedere that threatens to undermine London's efforts to recycle more and throw away less.
Read Press Release - 3rd June: Bexley incinerator threatens jobs & recycling
LONDON RECYCLING TOUR
In July 2003, Jean visited community recycling projects in the capital to recognise the efforts of local organisations in reducing waste and to develop a better understanding of waste issues facing London's communities.
For a full list of the organisations Jean visited, press releases and photographs of the tour, click here
THE LONDON PLAN
In June 2002, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, released the London Plan: a draft strategy for future spatial development in London.
London Greens from across Greater London met at their annual conference in September and unanimously rejected the draft Plan as failing to protect the environment or improve quality of life for Londoners. The conference voted overwhelmingly to "oppose the plan as it has been drafted".
The Greens have also made a detailed submission to the Mayor, recommending 40 major changes to turn the Plan around - on social, economic and environmental issues.
'Towards The London Plan': Response By Green Party MEP For London (July 2001)