Boris Aims To Make London 'Greener'

The capital is 'going green' with news that Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is setting a target-driven environmental agenda for the city.

He revealed yesterday that a Director of Transport for London's Policy Unit is to take charge of the environmental brief at City Hall, with the aim of delivering on the 'raft of green commitments' made by the mayor.

Mr Johnson said: "We have rightly set ourselves tough challenges to protect and improve London's environment now and in the future.

"I want to see that all Londoners are incentivised and encouraged to play their part in doing this."

The new Director, Isabel Dedring comes with a track record of planning and executing environmental strategies covering climate change, retrofitting buildings to reduce their carbon emissions and, of course, low carbon transport and sustainable travel planning.

Ms Dedring, said: "I am thrilled to be taking on this new role in the Mayor's team. I believe London can and must play a leading role in taking real steps to improve the environment.

"We can make our environment more pleasant, save money on energy bills, create new jobs and I am determined to ensure we deliver on this agenda."

Among the mayor's commitments are to cut the city's total carbon emissions by 60% by 2025, develop a series of Low Carbon Zones showcasing technological fixes and reducing energy bills, planting 10,000 trees in an effort to green the city and investing £6m to improve existing green spaces.

The mayor will also head up the new London Waste & Recycling Board, set up to promote co-operation between the boroughs and City Hall.

(BMcC/KMcA)