Yesterday marked a pivotal moment for London’s future as industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered for the launch event of the ‘State of the City – London’ report. The event, held at the Institution of Civil Engineers’ headquarters in Westminster, provided a comprehensive overview of the report’s findings and facilitated dynamic discussions on accelerating London’s journey towards decarbonisation.

Key Highlights from the Report:
The “State of the City – London” report, developed by experts across planning, financing, design, construction, and operation of London’s infrastructure systems, focuses on two critical elements: housing and transport. Key points include:

HOUSING:
Short Term: Promote public awareness of the benefits of energy-efficient home improvements and provide a one-stop-shop for retrofitting services.
Long Term: Advocate for national policy changes and enhanced funding schemes to support energy-efficient housing, and collaborate with the financial sector to attract private investment for retrofits.

TRANSPORT:
Short Term: Reduce barriers for drivers using Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points managed by different entities and protect land for logistics facilities.
Long Term: Partner with boroughs and private providers to secure grid connections for EV charging and develop a coordinated approach to logistics facilities to support low-carbon deliveries.

Panel Discussion Insights:
The event featured a panel discussion with prominent experts who delved into the report’s findings and recommendations. The panel included:
Rajesh Pathak, major programme and strategy director at Jacobs and Chair, ICE London Committee
Claire Rose, heavy civil and water sector lead In Bechtel Infrastructure
Oana Sala, senior innovation engineer and the ICE London Committee’s Honorary Secretary
Tim Chapman, partner and director at the Boston Consulting Group
Steve Lee, programme manager at Jacobs and an ICE Fellow

Key takeaways from the panel discussion included:
Integration and Collaboration: Emphasis on the importance of cross-sector collaboration to address bottlenecks in both housing and transport sectors.
Innovative Funding Models: Discussions on new financial mechanisms to support sustainable urban development and retrofit projects.
Community Engagement: Strategies to engage local communities in planning and implementing low-carbon initiatives, ensuring inclusive and effective solutions.

Katherine Etheridge, regional director, ICE London, South East and East of England stated, “The ‘State of the City – London’ report is a crucial step forward in our collective efforts to create a sustainable future. By addressing the key bottlenecks in housing and transport, we can make significant strides towards our Net Zero goals. Yesterday’s discussions highlighted the power of collaboration and innovation in driving these changes.”

Rajesh Pathak, chair of the ICE London Committee, added, “This report provides a clear roadmap for the incoming Mayor and all stakeholders to accelerate decarbonisation efforts. The insights and recommendations discussed at the event are not just theoretical—they are practical, actionable steps that can lead to meaningful progress. We are excited to see these ideas put into action.”

Next Steps:

The momentum generated by the event will continue as stakeholders work to implement the report’s recommendations. Future initiatives will focus on fostering partnerships, securing investments, and engaging the community to ensure London’s transition to a sustainable, Net Zero city.

To read and download the full State of the City – London report, please visit https://www.ice.org.uk/download-centre/state-of-the-city-london-report