London launches plan to cut the city’s CO2 emissions

The launch is part of a drive to improve understanding of renewable energy technology in order to increase its use.

The Toolkit offers examples of best practice and funding schemes available to planners, developers and architects.

This will be backed by a series of free training sessions for planners and developers on how to apply the kit.

At the launch Gavron said: “Planning policy now requires the use of renewables. The London Plan specifically requires major developments to include energy efficient and renewable technologies and design. The mayor’s energy strategy expects that 10% of a new development’s energy demands come from renewable energy on site.”

London currently uses more energy than the Republic of Ireland, and must become more energy efficient as well as using renewable energies in order to meet the target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 23% by 2016.

The toolkit will inform the London Plan Supplementary Guidance on renewable energy which will be published at the end of 2004 for public consultation.

The Renewables Toolkit was developed by the London Energy Partnership and London Renewables. Sectors included are engineering, architecture, and energy. Copies of the training package can be found at www.london.gov.uk