Last week was Climate Action Week. To mark it, the Council installed a Carbon bubble on Westminster Cathedral Piazza representing what a ton of carbon dioxide would look like if we could see it.
On 2019 estimates, the average person in the UK produced 5.3 tonnes of CO2 per year.
To launch the installation, Westminster City Council's Lead Member for Air Quality Karen Scarborough joined the Lord Mayor, school children from Year 2 at St Vincent's de Paul, Harris Academy sixth formers and PWC, on the Piazza.
What is Westminster’s carbon footprint?
- According to Government data, Westminster’s emissions were over 2.2 million tonnes in 2017.
- 86% emissions are from energy used to power and heat building. The rest is from transport and waste.
This data is our starting point – or baseline – from which we need to tackle the emissions to achieve our aim of Westminster becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
How can you get involved?
The Council’s own emissions account for 2% of Westminster’s overall emissions.
- The Council wants to work together with residents, communities, businesses, and others across the City to take urgent and ambitious action to reduce emissions.
- As part of this work, it is looking to co-create a climate emergency action plan in partnership with residents and stakeholders across the city. Watch Cllr Scarborough talk about this above.
- The Council is also asking local people and businesses in the City to let us know their views on tackling climate change.
Over the next two months, the Council will also be hosting online and face to face events to discuss green issues. Find out more on the Council's website.
