The inaugural London Climate Summit took place last week (28 October) as the capital's launchpad for COP26.

The summit saw the Mayor of London, London Councils and London boroughs discuss their shared vision for transforming London into a cleaner, greener, fairer and more equal city, as well as exploring how residents, businesses and communities are contributing to climate solutions and supporting a green recovery for London

This week London leaders are heading to COP26 in Glasgow where they will showcase the UK Climate Investment Commission (UKCIC) that aims to explore new ways of helping UK cities reach their net zero targets. Together, London Councils and the Core Cities represent almost half of the UK population.

Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Mayor Philip Glanville, said: “London boroughs and the UK’s 11 Core Cities have a huge responsibility as economic and population centres to create solutions to reach net zero targets. Securing private finance will be critical to meeting our climate ambitions and today’s report outlines the substantial opportunities available to invest in and be part of our net zero journey.

“This commission highlights the need to work with government and private investors, but also with people and communities who, through investment, will be able to make changes and play a part in reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and supporting a green economic recovery.

“We’re excited about securing investment for the neighbourhood pilots outlined in the report, which will enable us to connect climate action, improving public health, reducing inequalities and supporting a just transition that can also address issues like fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis.”

This afternoon's event: Investing to Achieve Net Zero (4pm-5:30pm) at Glasgow City Chambers will be livestreamed on the Hopin virtual Event Platform.

London Councils has welcomed the much-needed increase in funding announced in the Chancellor's Spending Review last week, while warning that the boost will not be enough to establish an 'age of optimism' in local government finances.

Responding to the announcement, Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils, said: “We’ve seen some recognition of the vital role that local services play in our communities but we urgently need more resources.

“Boroughs have proved themselves crucial in the response to Covid-19 and are determined to secure a post-pandemic recovery that drives green growth and tackles inequalities in the capital. London is a dynamic, successful city but also a place of immense challenges – including the highest unemployment, homelessness, and relative poverty rates in the UK.

“However, the announced funding increases aren’t enough to meet the huge challenges facing our communities. In particular, there remains great uncertainty over adult social care, which is the largest area of council spending and supports some of our most vulnerable residents. We’re also deeply concerned that London is missing out on a fair share of levelling up support.

“We’ll continue working with the government on our shared ambitions while also making the case to ministers for the powers and resources we need to make faster progress.”

London Councils and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) will tomorrow (4 November 2021 at 11:15–12:15) launch the fifth annual London Business 1000 report -  an annual survey of over 1,270 businesses of all sectors and sizes from across Greater London to understand the priorities and key challenges they face.

Speakers will include: Rt Hon. Justine Greening, Founder, Social Mobility Pledge and former Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities; Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Leader RB Kensington and Chelsea and London Councils Executive member for Business, Economy and Culture, and Richard Burge, CEO, LCCI

You can register for the Zoom launch event here

With cases on the rise in London, being fully vaccinated and getting the booster when offered is the best way of protecting yourself and others this winter.

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