Hospitals, colleges and councils will be helped to cut energy use and save millions off their fuel bills under a major expansion of a climate change programme announced by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Just days before the start of the Copenhagen climate change summit, the Mayor visited a London fire station in Ilford, one of 42 buildings in the GLA family to have benefited from a green makeover started earlier this year.

Ilford fire station's energy overhaul has enabled it to slash more than 40% of its carbon emissions.

A further nine fire stations, 10 Metropolitan Police Service and 22 Transport for London buildings have between them achieved on average a 27% reduction in carbon emissions and have saved £1 million off the annual fuel bills of London. The Mayor has pledged another 58 Greater London Authority Group buildings will follow.

With the support of the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) - part of the William J Clinton Foundation - London is the first city in the world to have launched a framework of approved energy service companies, which cuts through red tape by creating a clever financial model enabling public sector organisations to retrofit their buildings with energy efficiency measures more easily.


The London Development Agency-led scheme is now set to be adopted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Barking and Dagenham Council and University College London. NHS London has expressed support for the scheme and will be working with the London Development Agency to allow NHS organisations across the capital to benefit from the framework.

It is estimated if all the public sector buildings in London used this model, they could save around £500million off bills and the model can be replicated across the UK.

Mr Johnson, said: "As expectant eyes around the globe turn to Copenhagen to see whether world leaders will take action on climate change, here in London we are making a difference right now.

"Cutting energy consumption in public buildings may not sound glamorous, but it could help us save the world from the threat of irreversible climate change. With a third of carbon emissions coming from our buildings, giving them a green makeover, is supremely good for the planet and for the public purse.

"This innovative financing and procurement model has cut out all the time delays and hassles for public sector organisations.

"We have tested it on our own fire stations, police stations and Transport for London buildings, so we know it delivers the goods in cutting carbon but also in making substantial cost savings and stimulating the demand for low carbon skills and technologies. We are willing and ready to share our solution with the rest of the UK and other world cities attempting to tread the same path and I am thrilled to see a clutch of foresighted organisations have already done so."

(CD/BMcC)