London Councils and London Higher have today announced five new knowledge partnerships between five borough-led climate programmes and four universities across London.

London Councils and London Higher have facilitated the knowledge partnerships to connect academics and policymakers to support the work of the borough-led, pan-London climate programmes. This will enable boroughs to use the best available evidence and data in their work and help higher education partners boost their role in civic leadership.

Each knowledge partnership is a two-way relationship. Local action to tackle the climate emergency will now benefit from research from London’s top universities, and academics will learn from London boroughs about real-world implementation and working with London’s communities.

Commenting on the partnerships, Mayor Philip Glanville, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said:

“I am thrilled that London Councils and London Higher are announcing these knowledge partnerships today, which will allow academics and policymakers to join forces and work with borough-led programmes aiming to cut carbon emissions and create a more sustainable and inclusive future for our city.

“The impressive spread of partnerships and expertise across boroughs and institutions will enhance London Councils’ climate programmes and allow them to flourish even more. Together, we can create and champion solutions to embed urban green living in our communities, ensure the transition to a net zero economy is a just one, and create the skills and jobs our residents so desperately need.”

Dr Diana Beech, CEO of London Higher said;

“I am delighted that London Higher and London Councils have joined forces to launch these five ambitious knowledge partnerships. Working together, these truly pan-London programmes will create a real sense of cross-city collaboration, formed between the lead boroughs and London Higher members with genuine expertise and interest in each of these areas.

By introducing councils to universities elsewhere in the city, not just those local to the lead borough, we hope that these programmes will help to establish long-lasting relationships between local councils and universities right across London, and will go on to form the blueprint for the use of university expertise city-wide.”

Dr Peter Bonfield, Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Westminster, Lead institution on ‘Creating a resilient and green London’ and ‘Low-carbon transport’ programmes and Vice Chair of London Higher:

“We are delighted to partner with Kingston and City of Westminster and Hounslow Council on two of the knowledge partnerships announced today.

Supporting the programme with up-to-date data and evidence, and keeping the programme abreast of new policy-relevant literature will help policymakers understand and shape their evidence needs. By acting as a bridge to the wider academic sector, we hope that these partnerships serve as a model for future university- local government relationships.”