London elects a new mayor on 1 May. In the final part of a series, we examine the scientific policies of the incumbent Labour candidate.
Katherine Nightingale
The current mayor needs no introduction to Londoners. He champions the cause of climate change, but will Red Ken’s policies be green enough if he’s elected again?
A highly skilled London
“Encouraging more young people to take up science in school and university will build the highly skilled workforce that is so crucial to strengthening London’s economy and regenerating areas,” said Livingstone while touring the future Centre of the Cell at Queen Mary College in 2006.
He added that the mayor’s responsibility as chair of the London Skills and Employment Board, now devolved from government, “will mean London will be well placed to meet the challenge of building a highly skilled workforce. I will use these new devolved powers to champion new projects.”
Yet Livingstone declined to comment on the proposed UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation, unlike the other candidates.
On the move
Livingstone touts high-tech to clean up public transport. He’s will introduce 500 hybrid fuel buses, whose diesel engine–battery combo should cut carbon emissions by up to 40%. Hybrid black cabs are also on the agenda.
Livingstone will continue to fight road pollution, with a £25 ‘gas guzzler’ charge for high-carbon-emitting cars and an exemption for ‘green’ cars in central London from October.
The Low Emission Zone will continue. From July, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches will be included, with further vehicles being introduced up to 2012. Car clubs and an improved infrastructure for ‘plug-in’ electric cars are also on the table.
Livingstone will also implement a £500 million, 10-year plan for cyclists and walkers, including a hire scheme with bikes every 300 metres, the introduction of ten ‘cycling corridors’ and safer biking zones in urban areas. Legible London, a walking scheme in its pilot stage, will be expanded.
Ken is against the expansion of Heathrow airport, and indeed any airport in the South East. “The massive expansion in Heathrow’s capacity would have an adverse impact on efforts to tackle climate change, it would increase aircraft noise, worsen road congestion and further reduce air quality in one of the most polluted parts of London,” he says.
Energy for London, from London
London’s Climate Change Plan targets a 60% CO2 emissions cut by 2025—25 years ahead of national targets. This is central to Livingstone’s policies, as “the most important long term issue confronting the world”.
A new service will advise Londoners on household improvements to cut emissions and save energy, with other schemes promoting discount home insulation and energy saving light bulbs.
Retrofitting public buildings, starting with those of the Greater London Authority, will cut emissions and save energy, and commercial landlords will be encouraged to adopt energy-efficient technology.
New buildings will be required to install energy generation equipment and meet 20% of their energy needs with renewable energy, while all of Transport for London’s traffic lights will be replaced with low-energy LED lights.
Livingstone wants London’s energy supply to be generated in London by 2025, largely by using combined heat and power plants. He also supports the London Array, a proposed wind farm in the Thames Estuary.
Greener still
Livingstone is the only candidate who’s talked about how London will adapt to the effects of climate change such as higher temperatures, extreme rainfall and possible flooding. He’ll publish an adaptation strategy in summer 2008.
Green spaces, including green roofs, he says, will need to be maximised to soak up excess water and help prevent the urban heat island effect, in which buildings and pavements absorb and radiate heat.
He’ll protect green spaces and gardens from being ‘grabbed’ and plant over 1 million trees to provide natural shade. New buildings will be required to catch rainwater and use water-saving devices. With good water management, he says, London will not need to resort to desalination for drinking water.
Plans for a green grid of open spaces in East London will benefit both people and wildlife. Livingstone will also publish a new strategy for protecting London’s biodiversity—his first since 2000.
To get us making the most of London’s green spaces, a ‘Wild London, Open London’ programme will reward ‘Green Oyster Card’ points with free entry to nature and conservation sites. School children will benefit too from a further three years of funding for a scheme that gives them free entry to London Zoo and the London Wetland Centre.
Livingstone will oppose the establishment of new waste incineration plants and spend £24 million developing clean gasification and other technology to create renewable energy from waste, heating up to a million London homes and cutting emissions.
Previously
Boris Johnson, Conservative
Sian Berry, Green Party
Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrats
Image from Flickr.