HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2018 was a big year for our team and the many Londoners who worked with us to help make the city greener and healthier. Our plans for 2019 are even bigger. We’ll be launching the 24/7 Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)in the central London Congestion Charge area on 8 April. From that date, most vehicles entering the zone must meet tough new emission standards or pay a daily charge to travel within the area.  From 1-8 July, it’s London Climate Action Week, bringing together Londoners, organisations and experts for a week of action on climate change - scaling up practical solutions and identifying new solutions to help cut carbon emissions. If you’d like to host an event, you can register your interest now.   This summer, London will be confirmed as the world’s first National Park City. To celebrate, the National Park City Festival will run from 20 – 28 July. We’ll announce more details shortly, with a programme of events to get everyone involved in London’s great outdoors and help make it greener.

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN The Mayor published his Climate Action Plan in December. This looks at what London must do to help limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. It suggests different routes London can take to become a zero carbon city by 2050. Read the action plan

HELPING BUSINESSES SWITCH TO CLEANER VEHICLES To prepare for ULEZ, the Mayor has announced a new £23m scheme to help small business owners scrap older, more polluting vans for cleaner vehicles. The scheme will initially help micro-businesses (with fewer than 10 employees) to make the switch. The Mayor is urging motorists to check their vehicle ahead of ULEZ. You can do this via TfL's ULEZ vehicle checker. Read more

MORE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECTS The Mayor has awarded grants to 18 new projects in round 2 of his London Community Energy Fund. The aim is to kick start innovative community projects in 13 London boroughs. These include solar panels on schools, churches and community centres, electric vehicle charging points and more. Read more about the projects

WOMEN IN CLEANTECH REPORT The London Sustainable Development Commission has launched a Women in Cleantech Report. It looks at the barriers and opportunities for women in cleantech entrepreneurship in London. There is also an action plan to help achieve better gender parity in this vital sector. Read the report and action plan

A CLEANER SOURCE OF HEAT SMEs can still apply for Cleaner Heat Cashback. The scheme offers eligible  small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) 30-40 per cent cashback to replace an old, inefficient heating system.  As well as saving businesses money on energy bills, the scheme will improve London’s air quality. If your business is located in an Air Quality Focus Area it may be eligible for a further 5 per cent cashback.