Low Carbon Zones across London to drive culture change on low impact living

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced the development of 10 high-technology 'Low Carbon Zones' across London by 2012 to deliver ‘greener’, low carbon solutions to households and businesses.

The Low Carbon Zones will help local communities and buildings to become energy efficient to cut energy usage and energy bills.

This will involve a range of services and technologies including: home insulation, buildings retrofitted with energy efficient devices, locally generated renewable energy schemes, plus energy and carbon assessments to work out existing carbon footprints and how best to reduce them.

More than three quarters of London’s carbon emissions are produced by homes, public and commercial buildings.

Six new Low Carbon Zones will join four existing pilot projects supported by the London Energy Partnership in Barking, Wembley, Elephant and Castle and Mitcham - the Mayor has committed to continue and accelerate the existing zones. Work on the new zones is expected to start in early 2009.

The Mayor is taking this work forward in close collaboration with the Energy Saving Trust, EDF Energy and British Gas along with other energy suppliers and the London Energy Partnership to deliver these zones.

The Mayor's office will publish details of how the six new zones' locations will be chosen in September with Londoners as well as schools, developers, universities and hospitals being invited to submit location ideas.

Boris Johnson said: 'Soaring oil prices have proved the case for energy efficiency is a no-brainer making sense both financially and in terms of protecting our quality of life in the future.

'Today I have committed to deliver ten flagship 'green energy' zones across London which will provide locally produced, less polluting and less wasteful energy to fuel households and businesses in these areas. This will be achieved by working hand in hand with organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust, British Gas and EDF Energy.

'Together we will be able to cut energy bills for these communities showing others what can be achieved, and help the capital meet a target of a 60 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2025.

'These zones will drive creativity and innovation helping to secure London’s reputation as a city at the forefront of the battle to cut the wasteful use of energy which is causing climate change.'

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: 'Our quarterly Green Barometer report shows Londoners lead the way as advocates of energy saving in the home. The challenge with the issue of climate change is that it can feel too far removed from the reality of daily lives.

'We have proven that engaging communities by showing what can be done where they live is key to encouraging collective action.'

Peter Hofman, EDF Energy Director Sustainable Future, said: 'Everyone has a part to play in tackling climate change. That is why we welcome today’s announcement by the Mayor of London of the creation of Low Carbon Zones across the city.

'EDF Energy set out its own plans to help customers reduce the proportion of CO2 arising from their energy consumption by 15 per cent by 2020 in our Climate Commitments last year. We are extremely supportive of schemes which help to encourage people to consider and reduce the environmental impact they may have.'

Gearoid Lane, Managing Director of British Gas New Energy, said: 'By taking simple steps, everyone can reduce both their household carbon emissions and their energy bills. £1 in every £3 spent on heating is wasted by poor insulation alone.

'Yet even simpler things like installing energy efficient light bulbs can start people on their way by saving them around £7 per year. Solar technology also has an important role to play in helping public buildings become more energy efficient.'