February 2006

Background
Vision and Mission
London Climate Change Agency Progress
Staff Appointments and Recruitment
Flagship Projects
London ESCO
Communications

 

Background

The establishment of the London Climate Change Agency (LCCA) was a manifesto commitment by the Mayor of London in the 2004 election and will implement projects in the sectors that impact on climate change, especially energy, transport, waste and water. The Agency will play a key role in helping to deliver the Mayor's Energy Strategy for London, especially the target of reducing carbon dioxide CO2 emissions by 20%, relative to the 1990 level, by 2010, as the crucial first step on a long-term path to a 60% reduction from the 2000 level by 2050.

Vision and Mission

The LCCA's work includes the development and implementation of energy efficiency, combined heat and power CHP (cogeneration/ trigeneration), renewable energy, fuel cells/hydrogen technologies and related transport, waste and water climate change projects.
This includes:-
The creation of a centre of climate change and energy engineering excellence, offering advice and support to the GLA Group, the London Boroughs, other public bodies and the private sector.
The establishment of a public/private joint venture London Energy Services Company or ESCO, in partnership with one or more private sector partners, that will deliver low carbon decentralised energy solutions in new and existing development. Initially, the focus will be on cogeneration (combined heat and power), trigeneration (combined heat, power and cooling) and integrated renewable energy on local private wire district energy systems and networks.
Other activities include large scale renewable energy technologies, environmentally friendly materials recycling/waste-to-energy technologies, stationary and transport hydrogen projects and sustainable water services systems for which project or special purpose vehicle companies may be established.
The dissemination of information on the Agency's activities and achievements to the C20 world cities and the promotion of a catalyst for action to tackle global climate change.

London Climate Change Agency Progress

Using one of his ten statutory appointments, Mayor Ken Livingstone appointed Allan Jones MBE as the Chief Development Officer for the London Climate Change Agency in November 2004 to become a key driver force behind London’s bid to tackle climate change, promote sustainable and renewable energy and implement projects in the sectors that impact on Climate Change, especially energy, water, waste and transport.

Following development of an initial work plan and a business plan the London Climate Change Agency was launched by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on 20th June 2005. Located in and supported by the London Development Agency, the LCCA is receiving initial philanthropic support from top UK and global companies as founders – BP, Lafarge, Legal & General, HSBC, Sir Robert McAlpine and Johnson Matthey, Corporation of London.  Support has also been received from the Carbon Trust, Energy Saving Trust, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Climate Group. Discussions are also under way with other potential supporters of the LCCA.

The LCCA is being established as a municipal company owned by the London Development Agency and led by the Mayor. A shadow Board meeting was held on 2nd November 2005, chaired by the Mayor. The shadow Board approved the business plan of the LCCA, including the shareholding arrangements and the Memorandum and Articles of Association for the company, which is now in the process of registration. The Shadow Board also approved the procurement of a private sector partner for the London ESCO.

A corporate identity is also in the process of being established with the registration of the LCCA logo (see above) currently under way.

Staff Appointments and Recruitment

The Chief Development Officer, together with a small team of staff have been working on initial carbon accounting, feasibility studies, flagship projects and potential ESCO projects as well as developing and implementing the work plan, business plan and LCCA municipal company incorporation.

Following approval of the LCCA's business plan recruitment for an Engineering Director, Climate Change Manager, Energy Services Manager and two Energy Efficiency Officers is currently under way with appointments expected to be made in February 2006. This is being supplemented by the recruitment of a Carbon Trust Energy Efficiency Manager secondment also currently under way. Arrangements are also in hand for the secondment of a Finance Manager from a LCCA supporter.

Further posts will be recruited later in 2006.

Flagship Projects

The LCCA is working on a number of initial flagship projects, as follows:-

Carbon Accounting

This project provided a carbon accounting tool in 2005 to support GLA group activities and to identify potential opportunities for energy efficiency revolving funds and flagship projects.

City Hall - Photovoltaic Roof

Originally designed for City Hall but never installed this project comprises an 81kWp photovoltaic roof and solar shading eyebrow. The LCCA was successful in being awarded a grant from the DTI Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme towards the cost of the project. Work is in hand to secure landlords approval and planning permission to complete the project in 2006.

Palestra – Photovoltaic Roof and Building Integrated Wind Turbines

This project comprises a 65kWp photovoltaic roof and 14 building integrated wind turbines (21kW) which will be the first example of such a combined system in the UK for the new home of the LCCA and LDA due to be occupied in July 2006. A feasibility study is also under way for a fuel cell CHP.

London Transport Museum – Photovoltaic Roof

This project originally comprised a 27kWp photovoltaic system which was successful in being awarded a grant from the DTI Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme towards the cost of the project. The LCCA is working with the Museum to increase the size of the system up to 52kWp and to secure the balance of funding for the project.

Other Flagship Projects

Other flagship projects are in the course of investigation with the GLA Group.

London ESCO

The London ESCO will be a public/private joint venture Energy Services Company or ESCO for London with the LCCA holding a minority shareholding in the ESCO. The procurement process is a negotiated procedure with those utilities/energy companies who had previously registered an interest in participating in the London ESCO.

The LCCA has been working on a number of potential ESCO projects with GLA functional bodies, private sector developers and public sector organisations with a view to implementing the first of these ESCO projects in 2006.

The procurement of a private sector partner for the London ESCO is currently under way with the first round of meetings completed in December 2005 and the second and final round of meetings to be completed in January 2006.  A recommendation will be made to the LCCA Board in March 2006 and subject to the Board’s approval detailed agreements will be completed to incorporate the London ESCO in April 2006 ready to implement the first London ESCO projects.

Communications

The LCCA will produce further briefings in 2006, and a website will also be launched.