The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in one of 19 Mayors from across the world who has committed to ensuring new buildings in their cities are in the net zero carbon by 2030, forming part of his plan to cut greenhouse gases significantly.
The 'Net Zero Carbon Buildings Declaration' also commits the leaders to ensure all buildings in cities, new or old, to meet net-zero carbon standards by 2050. These leaders share the needs of 130 million urban citizens and have explained that net-zero buildings use energy "ultra-efficiently" and meet any remaining energy needs from renewable sources. Buildings in urban areas are one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions; in London, Los Angeles and Paris there has been well over 70% of the cites whole emissions contributed by buildings.
This commitment will see the cities work with state and regional governments, as well as the private sector and the national governments, to drive the pledge into action, as part of the World Green Building Councils net zero carbon building commitment for businesses, cities, states and regions. Those making this commitment must:
Khan said: "My strategy to improve London's environment includes some of the world's most ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions from our homes and workplaces. This includes expanding my existing standard of zero carbon new homes to apply to all new buildings in 2019. We want to make London a zero carbon city by 2050 and we're working hard to ensure its buildings are energy efficient and supplied with clean energy sources. I look forward to collaborating with other cities on our shared vision of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement."
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