Sadiq Khan made chair of global green cities network

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan will be made chair of C40 cities at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

The C40 group is an international network of 97 cities, created to work together to tackle climate change while promoting sustainable economic growth.

The group began in October 2005 when then-London Mayor Ken Livingstone held a meeting of representatives from 18 cities to forge an agreement on collectively reducing climate pollution.

Current chair, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will formally hand over the role to Mr Khan during an event at COP26 next month.

Mr Khan will serve in the role for a minimum of two years.

London was an inaugural member of the group, which represents metropolitan areas with a combined population of 700 million plus.

Mr Khan told LBC radio last night: “I am determined for London to be a world leader in tackling the twin dangers of air pollution and the climate emergency so that we can deliver a brighter future for our city – one that’s greener, fairer and more prosperous for all.

“That’s why I’ve committed to making London zero-carbon by 2030, faster than any comparable city.

“I also want London to be a zero-pollution city so that no child has to grow up breathing toxic air.”

The Ultra Low Emission Zone enforced under Khan’s mayoralty has cut carbon output and has helped almost half toxic air emissions in central London.

Next week the zone will grow to encompass 3.8 million people.