It's the capital of the UK, the biggest energy demand centre in the country and the largest city in Europe. And it can slash its CO2emissions, gas consumption and reliance on fossil fuels without nuclear power.
That was London Mayor Ken Livingstone's message when he laid out his vision for a low carbon London to business leaders. The mayor called for the government to invest in decentralised energy (DE) instead of wasting taxpayers' money on nuclear power - "the failed technology of the past".
"We don't have time to make mistakes in tackling climate change," Livingstone said. "Nuclear power is neither the cheapest, the safest, or the most reliable way to reduce greenhouse gases".
The mayor was launching a new Greenpeace commissioned report, Powering London into the 21st century, which lays out exactly how decentralising London's energy would be far more efficient than centralised nuclear power in cutting London's CO2 emissions, ensuring energy security and stimulating the economy.
The vision for London is based on approaches that have been proven successful in Denmark and the Netherlands. Closer to home, Woking Council has cut its CO2 emissions by 77% by decentralising its energy supplies.
This solution is perfect for densely populated cities like London, which is responsible for around 15% of the UK's CO2 emissions. Comparing decentralised and nuclear scenarios, the report shows that London could reduce its carbon emissions by around 30% by 2025 without new nuclear reactors. Much of London's heating needs would also be met under the decentralised scenario.
The report's findings - which independently reinforce those of a recent report on the effects of adopting a decentralised energy policy UK-wide - demolish the myth that nuclear power is the only answer to climate change.
Ken Livingstone said: "I hope the government will invest in the most efficient, proven solutions to combat global warming: greater energy efficiency, decentralised energy and renewable energy."
Greenpeace is calling on the government to write a Decentralised Energy White Paper, which should look at the barriers currently holding back decentralised energy. It should look at measures to require all new buildings to incorporate decentralised energy technologies, all electricity suppliers to buy surplus electricity from decentralised power generators and ways to reward installers of renewable, decentralised technologies.
"The government says its Energy Review is about finding how we can best cut CO2 emissions and ensure a secure energy supply for the UK," said Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace. "If the government is genuinely concerned about climate change and fuel security then they need to start taking decentralised energy seriously and stop wasting their time considering the less effective, dangerous, dirty and expensive nuclear option."
If the largest city in Europe doesn't need nuclear power to slash its CO2 emissions, consume less gas and vastly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, then who does?
Watch and listen
