London Councils has launched the next phase of our Climate Programme alongside a £2 million funding package and implementation plan to accelerate local government's collaborative work to tackle the climate emergency.

The funding has been pledged for the next two years to enable London boroughs to work better together to reduce carbon emissions, deliver net zero faster and more efficiently while improving air quality and enhancing economic and health benefits across the capital.

Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, Cllr Deirdre Costigan, said:  "London's boroughs are committed to rapid action to tackle the climate emergency, from tackling air pollution to addressing flooding and energy insecurity. We know that London, as the biggest city in the UK, has a vital role to play in reducing carbon emissions and this will underpin our future prosperity. This Climate Programme and boroughs' £2 million pledge is essential to safeguarding London's future."

You can also hear from London Councils' Programme Director for Climate Change, Hannah Jameson, in our latest climate blog here.

London Councils, Transport for London (TFL), participating boroughs and e-scooter operators Dott, Lime and Voi have launched the next phase of London's e-scooter trial.

Cllr Deirdre Costigan, Acting Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, said: "Millions of e-scooter trips have been made since London's rental e-scooter trial began two years ago, showing that Londoners are keen to take advantage of this sustainable mode of transport where properly regulated. Thanks to the boroughs taking part in the trial, London continues to be at the forefront of transport innovation that improves air quality and reduces carbon emissions."

London Councils is part of discussions to design one coordinated future scheme to manage dockless e-bikes and e-scooters in London, aiming to improve the parking of vehicles, the quality and sustainability of these services in London. 

London Councils is continuing to support the women's rough sleeping census led by Single Homeless Project, Solace Women's Aid and St Mungo's. Running from 25 September to 1 October, the census is designed to improve understanding of the extent and nature of women's rough sleeping in the capital.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils' Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said: "Rough sleeping is particularly dangerous for women, and we're determined to reduce the number sleeping rough and to ensure that appropriate support is available."

More details can be found here.

On Monday (25 September), London Councils hosted a fringe event 'Setting our cities free: London's role in the national devolution agenda' at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth. The well attended event was chaired by London Councils' Liberal Democrat Vice Chair, Cllr Gareth Roberts. Panellists and the audience enjoyed a lively discussion on the benefits and challenges of devolving powers and budgets.

To see coverage from the day, take a look at London Councils' social media channels.

London Councils will be at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester next week where we will host a panel discussion exploring: Unleashing London’s potential: How can we secure London’s future prosperity?

Conference attendees are welcome to join us on Tuesday 3 October 2023, 12:00-13:15 in the Derby Suite, The Midland, 16 Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS.

Speakers will include:

Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Vice Chair of London Councils

Lee Rowley MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Local Government and Building Safety), Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Neil Garratt, Leader of the City Hall Conservatives and London Assembly Member

Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive, BusinessLDN