City Corporation has been recognized as one of the leading local authorities in the United Kingdom
The City of London Corporation is recognized as one of the top 20 councils in the UK for its efforts in fighting climate change.
Additionally, this entity scored highest in the Engagement and Collaboration category of the yearly ‘Council Scorecards’ conducted by the non-profit Climate Emergency UK.
The assessment by Climate Emergency UK reviewed all UK councils, evaluating their strides towards achieving net-zero emissions. The councils were rated based on their initiatives in several areas:
- Building and heating
- Transportation
- Land use planning
- Governance and finance
- Biodiversity
- Collaboration and engagement
- Waste reduction and food
Committed to a formidable Climate Action Strategy, the City Corporation aims for net-zero carbon emissions within its operations by 2027. It also sets its sight on attaining net-zero status throughout its investments and supply chain by 2040, while fostering the same goal for the entire Square Mile area.
An innovative tool, the Climate Action Dashboard, displays verified data, offering a public, transparent report of the corporation’s success in diminishing carbon emissions and bolstering climate resilience. This tool was instrumental in supplying information to Climate Emergency UK.
Notably, the City Corporation has reduced its yearly carbon emissions by 31% and energy usage by 21% from 2018/2019 to 2021/2022. Since 2018, it has transitioned to using purely renewable electricity. Updated statistics for the fiscal year 2022/23 are expected in the forthcoming month.
By investing £40 million in a Power Purchase Agreement with global energy firm Voltalia, the City Corporation acquires all the energy generated by a solar park in Dorset.
This installation contributes over half of the corporation’s electricity, energizing facilities such as the Barbican Centre, the Old Bailey, Guildhall, multiple educational institutions, residential housing projects, and various wholesale markets throughout London.
Chris Hayward, the Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, expressed pride in being among the leading UK councils actively fighting climate change.
Highlighting the gravity of this initiative, he stressed the necessity for immediate, determined action in collaboration with various partners to meet international objectives.
“That’s precisely our approach,” he affirmed. “Our Climate Action Strategy positions us as the first UK administrative body with a fully funded net-zero pledge that encompasses all emissions. We are actively engaging with businesses in the City to assist them in achieving net-zero zero status.
“Our approach is defined by proactive steps, not merely rhetoric.”
The City Corporation is responsible for 11,000 acres of green spaces in and around London, including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath. These areas collectively extract approximately 16,000 tonnes of carbon from the air annually, accounting for 44% of its yearly carbon footprint.
Moreover, it is the pioneering governing body to operate an entirely electric waste collection fleet and has prohibited the procurement of new diesel vehicles in its operations when eco-friendly alternatives are available.