The announcement of London as Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA) for its number of energy efficient buildings has been welcomed with open arms by Business Minister Ian Lucas. The city is the seventh are in the United Kingdom to be awarded LCEA status, a scheme designed to award and encourage buildings to be energy efficient. The scheme focuses on green retrofitting to push existing older buildings up to vastly improved standards.

The scheme is aimed to help the UK become an early leader in this new green sector and Ian Lucas stated: “London will be a world-leading centre for energy efficient buildings, specialising in retrofitting activity. The variety of buildings across London means that there will be a wide range of highly exportable skills. This position of global leadership will help create wealth for London and the UK economy by providing market opportunities for businesses and inward investors, and jobs for Londoners.

“The opportunity to develop and demonstrate solutions for the refurbishment of homes and commercial buildings will help the construction sector to innovate in order to retain, as well as expand, its current market position.”

Almost £90 million has already been assigned to a variety of projects by a number of Regional Development Agencies. The proposed plans include a range of retrofitting programmes to improve the energy efficiency of numerous buildings, low carbon business growth with a focus on retrofitting, energy supply projects, financing means, employment & skills all with a green focus.

The head of the London Development Agency, Sir Peter Rogers said on the scheme:

"The Mayor, Boris Johnson and London Development Agency is investing £23 million a year to deliver innovative, practical ways to drastically improve energy efficiency in line with our ambitious carbon cutting targets. We are pleased that our achievements are being recognised by London’s designation as a Low Carbon Economic Area. In the future, London’s financial muscle will provide the investments that turn these schemes into long-term commercial enterprises, with new businesses, new jobs and new skills.”

The Technology Strategy Board, who have invested over £3 million in 22 London eco home improvement projects as part of the nationwide ‘Retrofit for the Future’ programme, have also welcomed the scheme. Their Head Technologist for Low Impact Buildings said:

“The programme will demonstrate how UK business can contribute to a Low Carbon London and show how innovation focused on lowering carbon emissions can benefit London residents directly in terms of lower fuel bills and warm, comfortable houses.” 

Author:  Thomas Davies

Mail to a friend  |   Print this news  |  Contact Us  |  About Us

Publish our Green issues articles on your own site!

All our Green issues articles are available for republishing, provided the links in the content remain intact. You can also use our RSS news feed to republish all of our Green issues articles.