The London Assembly's Environment Committee met on Tuesday 03 February 2026 to assess London's progress on key environmental priorities. The meeting focused on air quality, transport, energy, buildings, waste, and green infrastructure, with discussions highlighting both achievements and areas requiring further action. Key concerns raised included the need for London to meet World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards, the significant environmental impact of data centres, and the challenges in ensuring fair pricing and reliable service from heat networks.

Air Quality, Transport, and Noise

Alethea Warrington from Possible and Simon Birkett from Clean Air in London presented on progress and challenges in air quality, transport, and noise pollution. They welcomed measures such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion, School Streets, and improvements to public transport, including the Elizabeth line and cycling infrastructure. However, they stressed that London's air quality still exceeds WHO limits and called for a clear plan to reach these standards. Concerns were raised about pollution from wood-burning stoves and the need for greater action on modal shift to reduce car dependency. A ban on high-carbon advertisements on public transport, such as for SUVs and flights, was also proposed. Simon Birkett highlighted that 39 locations in London still exceed WHO guidelines for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and urged the Mayor to commit to an NO2 target of 20 microgrammes per cubic metre by 2030. He also noted the increasing problem of ozone pollution. Assembly Member Joanne McCartney asked for national government support to facilitate these changes, with Simon Birkett suggesting a submission to the Environmental Audit Committee to advocate for more powers and resources for London.

Energy, Buildings, and Waste

Syed Ahmed of Community Energy London, Fiona Dear of The Restart Project, and Daniel Reast of the Centre for London provided insights into energy, buildings, and waste. They praised the Mayor's leadership in community energy and welcomed the focus on place-based solutions. However, they raised concerns about the energy and water consumption of hyper-sized data centres and the issue of over-responsibilisation, where the burden of environmental action falls heavily on individuals rather than producers and retailers. The need for better integration of academic research into policy was also highlighted.

Fiona Dear noted support for the retrofit-first approach to buildings and the ban on boilers in new builds, but expressed concern about the feasibility of meeting 2030 retrofitting targets within the remaining timeframe. She also pointed out the lack of focus on the circular economy within the London Plan and the difficulties individuals face in repairing or reusing items. Daniel Reast echoed concerns about the lack of strategic coordination and consistent funding for community initiatives, and the challenges of balancing housing density with environmental standards in urban design. He also highlighted the urgent need for greater attention to plastic recycling.

Green and Blue Infrastructure and Climate Resilience

Tim Webb from the London Parks and Gardens Trust, Katherine Rosen from the Orchard Project, Tayshan Hayden-Smith of Grow to Know, and Charlie Wood from the Environment Agency discussed green and blue infrastructure and climate resilience. They acknowledged successes such as the Urban Forestry Plan and pocket parks, despite funding cuts. However, they identified systemic barriers including a lack of matchmaking between grassroots and larger organisations, fragmented data systems, and insufficient long-term funding for maintenance. Schools were highlighted as a key engagement point, but curriculum pressures limit opportunities for outdoor learning.

Tayshan Hayden-Smith emphasised the importance of lived experience and social justice in environmental policy, noting a disconnect between policy messaging and on-the-ground implementation. He stressed the need for long-term thinking and legacy funding, moving beyond short-term political cycles. Charlie Wood pointed to the commercialisation of parks and the need for stronger enforcement of biodiversity net gain and urban greening factors. He also raised concerns about the lack of clarity on green space ownership and the potential loss of statutory consultee status for organisations like London Parks and Gardens Trust. Assembly Member Neil Garratt raised the challenge of balancing housing needs with protecting green spaces and the Green Belt. Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz inquired about the Mayor's ambitions for rewilding, highlighting the success of beaver reintroductions in Enfield and Ealing.

Data Centres and Environmental Impacts

Oliver Hayes from Global Action Plan presented stark findings on the environmental impact of hyperscale AI data centres. He stated that current AI data centres consume as much electricity as 100,000 households, with projections suggesting data centres could use a quarter of the UK's electricity by 2050. He warned that the push for data centres to be powered by onsite gas due to grid constraints would have devastating climate consequences and that the reliance on diesel generators for backup power poses risks to air quality. Hayes expressed concern that these impacts are not adequately considered in the planning process and highlighted the displacement of social housing needs in favour of data centre development. He called for a dedicated data centre policy in the London Plan that prioritises social utility and requires developers to invest in equivalent renewable energy.

Responses to Committee Outputs

The Committee noted responses from the Mayor of London regarding financing London's climate response and from the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation concerning the environmental impacts of Heathrow expansion. The Mayor's response detailed the work of the Climate Finance Taskforce and ongoing efforts to mobilise private finance for net zero projects. The Minister's response addressed recommendations on the Airports National Policy Statement, including considerations for air quality, noise, and the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Environment Committee Work Programme

The Committee noted its work programme for the remainder of the 2025/26 year, which includes a site visit to the Bunhill Energy Centre on 14 January 2026. The next meeting is scheduled for 3 March 2026, focusing on a question and answer session with the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy.