London and the net zero challenge

By Karim Fatehi MBE

The Chamber is relentless in our championing of all businesses.

From the corner newsagent to the hedge fund managers, we represent every type and size of business as all these firms are part of the special ecosystem making London the world’s number one business hub.

Thanks to our Quarterly Economic Surveys, we also know how business is coping in every part of our city. We lead with business intelligence on the state of the London economy.

As a consequence, we need to look at the long term challenges facing our city to ensure London stays ahead of the global competition.

The most significant of these challenges is climate change. The evidence of the climate emergency is overwhelming and, over recent years, the capital has experienced extreme weather events – from heat waves to flash efficient and the economic output that can be derived from cities is much greater as a direct consequence.

London and other major cities can be in the forefront of tackling climate change. This is partly because cities are leading global economic growth and is in the best position, due to this pivotal role in the economy, to address the needs of the climate. Cities are

Global cities play an increasingly important role at the global and regional level: from Asia to Africa, from South and North America to Europe, large urban centres enjoy significant competitive advantages and serve as primary nodes in the globalised economic system. They interact with states and other international actors, pursue objectives that are often intertwined with global economic agendas, and are crucial to questions related to climate change, mobility and migration, technological innovation, economic development and infrastructure. At the same time, global cities dramatically display the challenges posed by social inequalities and exclusion.

Cities are being transformed by urbanisation, driven by technological innovations and the exchange of new ideas as industries increasingly cluster together.

We are seeing that in London where the Chamber has championed the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in its Green Skies report. London’s global city status is specifically linked to major airports supporting the business life of the capital. The new Government has announced, since the publication of the Chamber report, new legislative proposals to support the production of SAFs in the UK.

With 90% of the global population predicted to be living in cities by the end of the century according to research by Oxford University, this is a long-term trend, providing a huge growth opportunity for investors.

There is a direct correlation between cities and the creation of wealth. Urbanisation creates efficiencies, which attract businesses and people, because of the job opportunities. This in turn attracts more businesses because of the available talent. That talent helps businesses grow and innovate, which in turn attracts more talent. This is the power of urbanisation. Urbanisation creates wealth.

One of the main advantages of a city, like London, is the ability for different business to be located near each other. This is known as “clustering” and is an essential component in the success of many businesses today, boosting efficiency and allowing companies to work together and exchange ideas.

Today, cities tend to play host to different clusters of industries. For example, Los Angeles is a hub for the entertainment industry, Boston is a hub for medical research and Singapore is a hub for the finance industry.

London is the business hub for finance, tourism, life sciences, tech and so much more. That is why London, despite the challenges facing the city, remains the world’s number one business hub.

Cities are also an essential lever in the battle to reduce greenhouse gases and conserve energy. The energy costs for high density housing, such as apartments, are about 30% lower than for a house. As apartments are clustered together, heating costs will invariably be lower. As many new apartment buildings now have installed energy systems, such as solar panels, energy costs can be even lower.

If the UK is to meet its Government-set target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, higher levels of population density will be crucial. The larger a city grows, the more efficient it becomes. This is the theory of urban metabolism, which explains why cities become more productive and inventive as they expand in size.

The UK economy is legally bound to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2035 from today’s levels. The Mayor of London has also set ambitious aims for London to be a zero-carbon city by 2030. This means businesses and industry will have to act now to reduce their carbon emissions accordingly.

The Chamber is committed to helping businesses reach net zero. We have been promoting net zero funding opportunities to members such as:

Community grants and funding distributes grants to support communities and civil society organisations. Applications for the Grow Back Greener Fund are open.

Green and Resilient Spaces Fund - Funding for large-scale, innovative enhancements to green and blue spaces and the wider public realm. Applications are now open for expressions of interest.

Challenge London – An initiative to work with bright and creative innovators to solve the challenges facing London and Londoners.

One of our members, Heart of the City, has a great toolkit to help SMEs meet its environmental obligations and save money. Climate Action Toolkit - Heart of the City (theheartofthecity.com)

In the coming months, the Chamber will produce two major reports on what more London can do to meet the next zero challenge – what more we need to do to further develop the sustainable finance sector and how to ensure every building in the capital is retrofitted.

The science of climate change is not in doubt. London is in the ideal position to meet this challenge so that not only do we meet the net zero target but we remain the world’s number one centre for business.

Fatehi MBE is the Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

THE KINGSTON BOROUGH BUSINESS AWARDS WERE OPENED IN NOVEMBER AT FUSEBOX.

We were delighted to welcome our Gold Sponsors, Kingston University, represented by the Professor Sankar Sivarajah, Head of Kingston Business School; Peter Mayhew-Smith, Group Principal and CEO, South Thames Colleges Group and Cllr Alison Holt, the Deputy Leader of Kingston Council.

No matter your shape or size of business, there are categories to match you. The KBBA are a great way of recognising the hard work of your employees, allows you to show how your business is different from your competitors and is also an opportunity for self-reflection, to focus on your achievements.

The KBBA celebrates the positive impact of local businesses across the Borough of Kingston.

2025 Categories

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER E XPERIENCE

BEST BRAND OF THE YEAR

BEST CHARITY OF THE YEAR

BEST CULTURAL ENTERPRISE

BEST IN FITNESS AND WELLBEING

BEST FREELANCER/SOLE TRADER/ SMALL BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR

BEST IN MARKETING AND DIGITAL SERVICES

BEST START UP THE YEAR

BEST PLACE TO WORK

EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY

EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

GROWING REPUTATION

I NDEPENDENT ‘LOVE LOCAL’ RETAILER

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE

SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT

TECHNOLOGY IMPACT

GOLD SPONSORS

CATEGORY SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNER

Kingston announces major cultural celebration for 2025 to mark historical year

2025 is set to be a landmark year for Kingston upon Thames as the Royal Borough announces a major, diverse six-month cultural festival opening in May.

Kingston 2025 will include large scale public events with dramatic performances, public art installations, a river festival and a box-fresh music composition performed by schools at The Rose Theatre featuring in the programme of events.

The flagship celebration marks the 1100th anniversary of the crowning of Athelstan, first King of a united England, right in the heart of Kingston in 925. Kingston 2025 is a celebration of the past, present and future of this special part of London where river, town and countryside meet, and diverse communities come together to create a history-rich cultural landscape.

The festivities will kick off with a majestic launch event in the historic Kingston Market Place on Saturday 3 May 2025. This will include community pop up events across the town centre building toward a joyful public performance.

People of all ages will be able to explore and enjoy a range of arts and cultural events over the summer months right through to October, most of which will be free. The Kingston 2025 programme will encompass established annual events such as the Kingston International Film Festival, Fuse International youth arts festival and Kingston Carnival as well as seeing brand new additions to the cultural calendar.

A new music production specially commissioned for schools and young musicians, ‘Bridging Kingston’, will be staged at The Rose Theatre in June. Later in the summer, just ahead of Kingston Carnival, a colourful River Cultures Festival will celebrate the importance of the River

Thames and the natural environment as part of the Totally Thames Festival. Kingston Museum will stage ‘Kingston Glamour’, a new exhibition on art and innovation in the suburbs, and the return of an expanded two-day Saxon Fayre will offer visitors an immersive experience of daily life in a Saxon encampment with warriors reenacting battles in Kingston’s riverfront Canbury Gardens.

The programme is underpinned by a focus on a community history project. Local people will be exploring aspects of Kingston’s lesser known histories in the borough’s neighbourhoods and communities bringing to life stories of the people who shaped Kingston, in collaboration with partners including Kingston University, Kingston College and many community and voluntary sector organisations.

Leader of Kingston Council and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Andreas Kirsch said:

“As we head into the new year, I’m incredibly excited that Kingston 2025 is on the horizon. It will be a fantastic celebration of the borough’s diverse and vibrant communities and cultural landscape, its beautiful riverside location and rich royal heritage. A celebration of Kingston past, present and future.

“I’m thrilled to host this very special arts and culture programme in 2025 that I hope will enrich, excite and bring communities together in celebration.“

More information about the Kingston 2025 programme will be released in the spring.