London Assembly presses mayor on green policies

The London Assembly has called on the Mayor to hold an urgent meeting with the Government to discuss national efficiency policies for London.

The Summer Budget included a number of policy changes. They include:

1. A lack of a zero carbon homes commitment, which will limit the Mayor’s ability to meet carbon reduction targets; 2. Changes to Vehicle Excise Duty, which may dis-incentivise people buying low emission vehicles; and 3. Changes to the Climate Change Levy, which could result in renewable electricity being subject to a carbon tax.

Murad Qureshi AM, who proposed the motion said:

“By undermining the capital’s ability to deliver energy efficiency and improve its air quality, the Government’s summer budget represents a major hindrance to attempts to tackle London’s most significant environmental challenges.” “With London’s global city status at stake, it’s time for the Government to show a willingness to lead the charge against the big environmental challenges. Removing incentives for, or indeed penalising, those wishing to reduce their own carbon footprint is simply not the way to go about it.”