Two-thirds of Londoners (66 per cent) have had an increased level of concern about climate change in the last 12 months, new polling commissioned by London Councils reveals.

The poll showed the vast majority of Londoners (82%) are concerned about climate change. This figure is identical to Londoners’ response to our polling last year, indicating that Londoners recognise the climate emergency remains a threat that must be addressed imminently.

Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Mayor Philip Glanville, said: “The second year of our polling shows that Londoners remain worried about the effects of climate change and the severe impact it has on communities. While their concern is increasing, it isn’t leading to despair. Londoners clearly support ambitious action to reduce carbon emissions and want to be part of that change.  

“London boroughs are committed to listening to our residents and playing a leading role tackling the climate emergency. We are working with our communities and partners to inform and collaborate on green projects. We support people who wish to make greener choices, but we need more powers and financial assurances from government if all our local communities are to make the transition to a low-carbon lifestyle."

The results were shared with borough officers and politicians exploring the challenges of climate action at London Councils' Borough Climate Conference yesterday (19 October). You can view the presentation below

Our homes are currently responsible for around one third of London’s greenhouse gas emissions, but an ambitious joint plan by London's 33 local councils aims to cut carbon emissions from London’s 3,781,477 domestic buildings by 'retrofitting' them to improve energy efficiency.

Retrofit London is one of London Councils’ flagship climate change programmes, led by the London boroughs of Enfield and Waltham Forest, together with support from the London Housing Directors’ Group, BEIS, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, GLA, G15, London First and others.

A live webinar event next week (Tuesday 26 October, 09.30am - 11.00) will set out how the Retrofit London Housing Action Plan can meet our ambitious goal to get all homes in London to an average of EPC B by 2030, and discussing some of the major challenges with key partners.

Commenting on new research from the Local Government Association warning that council house waiting lists could double by next year, London Councils has highlighted the capital’s skyrocketing homelessness rates and chronic shortage of social housing.

There are currently around 250,000 Londoners on waiting lists for council housing. London is also experiencing the most severe homelessness rates in the country, with 165,000 homeless Londoners living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough. The capital accounts for two thirds of all homelessness in England.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell, said: “London is the epicentre of the housing crisis. The longstanding shortage of social housing in the capital has driven up pressures and is the fundamental factor behind London’s appalling homelessness rates.

“Boroughs are determined to turn this situation around, but for too long we’ve lacked the resources required to build housing at mass scale. Giving boroughs these resources is crucial for tackling homelessness and will be a major boost to the post-pandemic economic recovery. We’re urging ministers to listen to councils and use the Spending Review to help us deliver the homes Londoners need."

A by-election took place in the Pinner ward, London Borough of Harrow, last week (Thursday 14 October).

The by-election was won by Hitesh Karia (Conservative Party). You can read the result in full here.