The City of London Corporation and the Square Mile are on track to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040, according to the organisation’s latest Climate Action Strategy progress report.
Between 2017 and 2022, carbon emissions across the Square Mile fell by 24% – the equivalent of powering 81,000 homes for a year. Across the City Corporation’s own operations and supply chain, net emissions have dropped by 28% since 2018, equal to powering 50,000 homes annually. The City’s governing body says the figures show “significant progress” toward its long-term goal of becoming a sustainable, climate-resilient business district.
Over the past year, more than 2,500 m² of climate-resilient vegetation have been installed across the Square Mile, alongside 72 new trees that help cool local streets by up to 6°C.
Across its wider 11,000 acres of open spaces – including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath – the Corporation has created 70 hectares of wildflower meadows, removing an estimated 16,230 tonnes of carbon every year, roughly two-thirds of its operational footprint.
The City also reports major strides in renewable energy use and transport. It has sourced 100% renewable electricity since 2018, with over half supplied directly from a Dorset solar farm powering landmarks like Tower Bridge and the Barbican Arts Centre.
New solar panels at the London Metropolitan Archives now generate 10% of that building’s energy needs, saving £25,000 a year. Walking, wheeling, and cycling now account for 85% of on-street travel, supported by new cycle lanes and public realm upgrades.
Looking ahead, the Corporation plans to launch a Heat Network Strategy to deliver sustainable district heating, a Net Zero Accelerator for small suppliers, and an Embodied Carbon Action Plan for the construction sector. Further projects include flood management works in Epping Forest, new sustainable drainage systems across the City, and expanded biodiversity initiatives.
Retaining its place on the Carbon Disclosure Project’s prestigious ‘A-list’, the City Corporation says 2025 will mark a “critical year of acceleration” in delivering its vision for a greener, more climate-resilient Square Mile.
Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said: ‘Despite wider challenges such as the slow decarbonisation of the UK grid, we remain firmly on track to achieve our 2040 net zero carbon and climate resilience targets across both the City Corporation’s activities and the Square Mile.
‘From cutting emissions across our own value chain by over a quarter to creating climate-resilient green spaces and generating our own clean power, bold climate action is delivering benefits across the board – reducing costs, protecting communities, and safeguarding the Square Mile’s future.’
Climate Action Lead for the City of London Corporation, Alderman Alison Gowman, said: ‘Since launching the Strategy in 2020, we have made strong progress in cutting carbon and reducing climate risks – from greening and sustainable drainage to decarbonising the Square Mile through transport and planning initiatives.
‘Our investment has accelerated delivery, putting us on track for net zero across our full value chain and the whole Square Mile by 2040.
‘This achievement is down to collaboration with our supply chains, tenants, and communities. But we are going further, and faster – scaling up heat networks, greening our infrastructure, and embedding sustainability across our investments.’
Photo: Kai Pilger
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