Report reveals the full extent of London’s CO2 emissions

04.12.09

A ground-breaking research report from the London Sustainable Development Commission and BioRegional, reveals the full extent of London’s carbon dioxide emissions when including those from imported goods consumed in London.

'Capital Consumption', published today, shows the share of emissions of sectors from food to the public sector and, in keeping with the latest scientific evidence and global treaties, the level of action needed to help the world achieve its climate change targets.

The use of energy and resources from activities within London, such as transport and energy use, are well understood and London is taking the lead on mapping out the change needed to address these emissions. The 'Capital Consumption' report shows how London's full share of emissions also includes 'hidden' activities such as the production and supply of imported food and consumer items consumed in London. The carbon content of these imports also needs to be included in plans to reduce London's emissions.

The 'Capital Consumption' research shows:

• From a consumption perspective London's total consumption of energy and resources in London is approximately 90 million tonnes of CO2 per year. This compares with approximately 44 million tonnes of CO2 when only London’s energy use and transport is counted;
• Effective action to cut London's climate changing emissions is possible and involves dealing with emissions from activities in London and from its demands overseas;
• Action is required from all eight sectors examined: domestic energy use; housing infrastructure; personal transport; food; consumer goods; private services (e.g. financial and recreation); public sector; and, the built environment;
• A large part of the necessary reductions can come from the decarbonisation of the electricity supply grid, which is modelled in all eight sectors;
• There are different ways (scenarios) to start reducing emissions, the report models one scenario which shows that a 90% reduction in London's carbon emissions can be achieved by 2050;
• Adopting measures in the report could help create jobs, build a more resilient economy and benefit the health and social well-being of Londoners; and,
• There is a clear opportunity for London to lead such change with proper action to address London's consumption-based emissions by government, international organisations, business, the voluntary sector and by consumers.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "This report clearly underscores the scale of the climate challenge confronting the capital and we are implementing a raft of policies to help catalyse the required shift to a low carbon economy.

"This includes a public bike hire scheme, plans to give 200,000 homes a free carbon makeover by 2012, introducing greener buses and supporting the mainstream introduction of electric vehicles. To help tackle emissions coming from outside the city, we are encouraging communities to grow their own food locally and exploiting the potential from London's waste including reusing and recycling items that might otherwise be chucked away.

"The benefits of these moves to cut carbon will not only improve the quality of life for Londoners, but stimulate the demand for low carbon skills and technologies."

John Plowman, Chair of the London Sustainable Development Commission said: "Action to curb London’s climate change emissions by better use of energy and materials at home, at work and in the way we travel is well known. Less well known are our 'hidden' carbon emissions. Our report now shows the full picture of London's home-grown and imported carbon emissions. Our research shows how London can now take a lead in positive changes towards more sustainable consumption. London can lead a shift to a more sustainable economy if it decarbonises its supply chains, supports innovation and acts both here in the UK and internationally. Cutting carbon by new ways of consuming will be good for jobs, health and social well being."

Sue Riddlestone, a LSDC Commissioner and Director of BioRegional said: "A consumption-based approach is important if we are going to tackle climate change in an honest manner. It means we don’t shift responsibility for reducing the carbon emissions from the goods we buy, often from poorer countries, entirely on to them to solve, or perhaps ignore. The encouraging thing is that our real-life experience at BioRegional and the modelling we have done in this report shows that it is possible to reduce this higher level of CO2 emissions by 90% by 2050 and have a better quality of life."

Published December 2009

Download Capital Consumption (PDF format 6mb)