Wednesday 17 March 2021

New scheme to help businesses in London reduce their carbon footprint

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a new ambitious scheme to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and support the capital's goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The Business Climate Challenge, developed with support from Bloomberg Associates and piloted with businesses that are part of Better Bankside Business Improvement District (BID), calls on businesses in London to reduce their energy usage across all their buildings.

A year-long pilot project has been launched in Southwark and businesses that sign up will agree a target to reducing their buildings' energy consumption by 10% within the first year.

Up to 20 businesses will receive tailored advice from professional service consultants Turner and Townsend to decarbonise their buildings and reduce their energy consumption, with support including a buildings audit and a personalised roadmap to bring their carbon emissions down to zero.

The first few businesses that have signed up are: Shakespeare's Globe, London Marathon Events, Fagerhult Lighting, flexible workspace provider BE.SPOKE and Kubrick Group, which provides organisations with AI and cloud software.

Mr Khan said: “I'm committed to a green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and am doing everything I can to give Londoners the tools and support they need to help the capital emerge as a cleaner, greener place to live and work.

“This exciting new initiative encourages businesses of all sectors to look at how they can cut emissions from their buildings and gives them the support and advice they need to put their plans into action.

“As the UK prepares to host the COP26 climate summit, businesses can make a massive contribution to our green recovery and in our wider efforts to tackle climate emergency. I'm looking forward to seeing how our city's dynamic and innovative businesses take on this challenge.”