Almost three-quarters of Londoners (73%) say the cost-of-living crisis has made it more difficult for them to take action to help prevent climate change, new polling commissioned by London Councils reveals.  

In the fourth year of research polling by London Councils to gauge Londoners’ understanding of climate change, respondents also said that cost is a barrier which limits Londoners from choosing greener heating or energy options, despite the fact that actions such as insulating their home could save them money in the long term.

London boroughs are responding to this challenge by improving the social housing they own to make it more energy efficient – for example by installing new wall insulation. Boroughs are also shifting how they use their planning powers so they incentivise developers to make newly-built homes and buildings energy efficient by design.

Cllr Kieron Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Environment, said:

“It is sobering to see that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis prevents Londoners from taking action on issues that are important to them, such an investing in climate action.

“68% of Londoners have grown more concerned about climate change over the past 12 months. It is inspiring to see that their motivation to take action to address climate change is consistently high year on year. Many are already making sustainable choices, such as recycling old clothes and electronics.

“Decision makers in London boroughs, national government and businesses must harness this motivation to bring in a new sustainable way of living that drives the green economy. That way, we can truly address the climate emergency, bring down people’s bills and bring in a greener, cleaner and healthier London from the ground up”.  

Read the full press release.

A grassland area roughly the size of 100 football pitches, has been transformed into woodland by Enfield Council, using natural solutions to reduce the risk of flooding.

The Enfield Chase Woodland Creation area includes ponds fitted with sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), which encourage a natural water filtering process, using non plastic materials and allowing the soil to soak up and hold more water. This reduces the risk of surface water flooding and protects hundreds of peoples’ homes in the neighbourhoods located in downstream urban areas, such as Edmonton.

The project is part of the borough’s natural flood management initiative which has seen Enfield restore local biodiversity and river habitats to defend homes and buildings from being damaged by flooding.

London boroughs are working together to deliver rapid action on climate change, recognising that our city has a vital role to play in reducing carbon emissions, building resilience to climate impacts and shaping a positive transition to net zero, including a vibrant and inclusive green economy. You can read more about this work here.

A by-election took place in the Highgate ward in LB Camden last week (Thursday 30 November). The by-election was won by Green candidate Lorna Russell.

You can read the result in full on Camden's website here.

An Aldermanic election took place at the City of London Corporation last week.

All Aldermanic election results can be seen here.