/ Newsletters / ACIDD-Newsletter English version n°5- November 2008
Interview with Charles Secrett: “London has deployed the most ambitious climate plan.”
Charles Secrett worked for a long time alongside the ex-Mayor of London as climate and sustainable development advisor. He worked hard for sustainable mobility and new transport regulations in England’s capital. London is a pioneer in this field.
 |
I am still working as a climate and sustainable development advisor. I am kicking off a new programme for industry with Cambridge university. This program promotes good practices in order to combat climate change and prioritises sustainable development practices.
Are you a green citizen? In what way?
Naturally, I recycle, I economise my energy use, I use public transport and I try to motivate those around me to adopt good practices.
Is London a green and connected city?
Yes, in many ways. London, for example, deployed the most ambitious climate plan in the world. The objective is to reduce carbon emissions by 60% my 2025 and 80%-90% by 2050. This should boost the local economy and the attractiveness of a city that will propose a very high quality of life. London has a very good public transport network and by putting in place the ‘congestion charge’ tax linked to traffic, which vows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by dissuading people to use their cars, we have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 16% in the areas most affected by pollution and we have pushed the most polluting cars (by heavily taxing them) outside of the capital. This is major progress for public health. 30% of London’s surface area consists of parks, rivers, canals and nature reserves, making it un-contestably a green city.
What was your role in putting in place the means to achieve sustainable mobility?
For four years I worked alongside the former mayor Ken Livingstone as his advisor for climate and sustainable development issues. In this role, I participated in the creation of the climate plan. I was also an active member of the London-based agency for development where I helped members integrate the stakes of sustainable development into their economic programs. For example, we facilitated the emergence of an industrial park in East London targeting responsible management and encouraging a very step decline in carbon emissions. Elsewhere, we favoured the emergence of a cycle path that connects all the parks and nature reserves of the city. We have contributed to making public health one of the city’s priorities.
What solutions does the “Green and connected city” bring to sustainable development?
We are at the dawn of a green industrial revolution that is picking up speed. One only needs to observe the changes in the automobile industry and the emergence of new vehicles or the rise in renewable energy. This directs all industrial innovation and a new approach to design. All of this generates new employment, and will continue to do so, to the great satisfaction of the customer. Sustainable development is this too.
What will towns and cities look like in 50 years?
Who knows. Predictions are rarely true. We must remember that towns are responsible for 75% of the consumption of natural resources and of 75% of carbon emissions. There are therefore two scenarios: either we will have found the responses to the major climate, environmental and social issues we are facing in the North and the South, or we will witness the throes of climate change, the drying up of resources and we will enter into the fight for survival. What happens tomorrow depends on how we act now. The choice is ours.
View the interview with Charles Secrett organised within the framework of TIC21 project.