by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The City of London, on Monday 23 June, 2008, in the Guildhall, launched its City Climate Pledge.
The City of London, also often referred to as the Corporation of London or the London Corporation, provides local government services for the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain. Its responsibilities extend far beyond the City boundaries in its commitment to mitigating climate change through supporting responsible business practices.
The Pledge is a new initiative, designed to help companies in the City of London play their part in the global fight against climate change.
The City Climate Pledge will help City organisations improve their environmental performance and will encourage them to use their global influence to affect the behaviour of companies around the UK and the world.
Lord Mayor of the City of London David Lewis says, “Climate change is our most serious global challenge and has severe implications for the world’s social and economic wellbeing. The City Climate Pledge will help the City show its commitment to combating climate change and use its global influence to set an example for the rest of the world to follow. We are very keen for all City companies to sign up to the Pledge.”
By signing up to the Pledge, organisations will demonstrate their commitment to tackling the challenge of climate change head on by:
- Publishing their carbon footprint and reporting on progress made in reducing their environmental impact
- Measuring and monitoring the carbon footprint arising from business activities
- Mitigating the amount of carbon produced by enhancing the efficiency of day-today operations and
- Maximising the effectiveness of any carbon offsetting for any unavoidable emissions (in accordance with the UK Government Code of Best Practice).
The City Climate Pledge is being delivered by the City of London in partnership with BRE, which is acting as core provider of carbon management advice and support for the Pledge and PURE, the UK’s leading carbon offset charity.
The BRE Group is a world-leading research, consultancy, training, testing and certification organisation, delivering sustainability and innovation across the built environment and beyond. -
Robert Rabinowicz, Director of Pure says ‘We are delighted to be involved in this great initiative by the City. We hope that every organisation within the square mile will sign up. Collective action is the only way to achieve the culture shift in industry and commerce that is necessary to make a demonstrable difference.’
Pure is the UK’s leading carbon offset charity with the specific objective of improving air quality and combating climate change.
M Smith (Veshengro), June 2008
