Campaign: Cut London emissions 10% by next year

More than 100 scientists gathered in London today to demonstrate their support for a campaign seeking a 10 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions in the city by 2010.

Pano Kroko, chairman of the Environmental Parliament, announced the 10×10 campaign after a summit meeting at the London School of Economics considered ways to reduce London’s CO2 emissions by 10 per cent by the end of next year.

“We believe this saving is realistic and will help the city take a giant step towards meeting its goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2025,” said Kroko.

The assembled scientists and environmentalists agreed that only a combination of taxation, public policy and resource management can meet the 10 per cent reduction target.

“Today most of London’s electricity comes from coal-fired power generating plants,” said Kroko. “One in three children in London suffers from some form of asthma and London has the lowest air quality among European capitals. The first step towards CO2 emission reductions can be among the most difficult — in London however it is very achievable.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson has pledged to ultimately achieve 60 per cent CO2 savings, a goal the Environmental Parliament says can be broken down into a series of achievable benchmarks.

“‘We can make significant progress to the long-term plan by breaking the target down and committing to cycles of 10 per cent reductions,” Kroko said. “It simply takes political will and a commitment to the necessary legislation.”

Kroko called for the London Olympics to be the focal point of a green push to achieve a further reduction of 10 per cent by 2012.  He also urged encouragement and support for green industry initiatives to reach a total reduction of 30 per cent by 2015.

Higher energy prices coupled with the certainty of CO2 emission taxation would provide economic stimulus that would lead to a greening of the economy, he said.

“With a robust and changing economy and a growing green industry, we can save an additonal 10 per cent every three years and reach the capital’s goal of a 60 per cent reduction by 2025,” Kroko said. “The regeneration of the city’s economy and the creation of green legacy from the 2012 Olympics will see London move into the Gold Medal position of global environmental leadership.”