The Environment Committee of the Greater London Authority Council met on Tuesday 3 March 2026 to discuss a range of environmental priorities, including the Mayor's budget, climate resilience, and the impact of data centres. Key decisions included a commitment to further investigate the environmental impacts of data centres and to continue efforts to improve London's air quality.

Q&A with the Deputy Mayor for Energy and Environment

The committee held a question and answer session with Mete Coban MBE, the Deputy Mayor for Energy and Environment, and Megan Life, Assistant Director of Environment and Energy at the GLA. Discussions focused on the Mayor's budget for 2026-27, with a particular emphasis on environmental priorities and potential changes to funding.

Deputy Mayor Coban addressed concerns about redundancies within the Environment and Energy team, stating that the proposed savings would not impact the delivery of the Warmer Homes London plan. He highlighted that the GLA is nearing its 1,000th retrofitted home and has secured £231 million from the government for the Warmer Homes Plan. Megan Life clarified that the proposed staffing changes are part of a wider savings package across the GLA and that the focus is on protecting frontline delivery. She also noted the creation of a new team dedicated to clean and healthy waterways.

The committee also discussed the GLA's Environment Strategy, with the Deputy Mayor confirming that the 2018 strategy remains in place, and any new mandates or manifesto commitments would be in addition to it.

Engagement with Government on the National Planning Policy Framework

Assembly Member Joanne McCartney questioned the Deputy Mayor on engagement with the government regarding the updated National Planning Policy Framework¹. Deputy Mayor Coban stated that the GLA is currently considering its response to the draft consultation and that ongoing conversations are taking place at a senior level with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). He also confirmed regular engagement with ministers and officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), including discussions on the Warmer Homes Plan and community energy projects.

Swimming Wall Rivers and Cleaning Healthy Waterways

Assembly Member Zack Polanski raised questions about the forthcoming Swimming Wall Rivers Plan, with Deputy Mayor Coban indicating it is in its final stages of drafting and expected to be published this side of the summer. He confirmed that water quality would be an indicator within the plan, alongside inclusion and other key priorities. The committee discussed the £5 million fund allocated to swimmable rivers, with the Deputy Mayor expressing confidence that it would make a tangible difference and that efforts would be made to leverage this funding to attract additional partners.

The committee also discussed the Teddington Direct River abstraction scheme proposed by Thames Water, questioning its compatibility with a potential swimmable rivers site. Megan Life clarified that the designation of a bathing site involves a framework of regular testing to ensure safety.

Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz inquired about the £5 million funding for swimmable rivers, with Deputy Mayor Coban explaining it aims to deliver tangible benefits to Londoners over the next three years, including identifying new swimmable sites and improving water quality. He also mentioned that Thames Water has committed over £1 billion towards the Clean and Healthy Waterways Pledge, including a £20 million community fund.

Climate Resilience

Assembly Member Anne Clarke questioned the Mayor's prioritization of climate resilience and the implementation of recommendations from the London Climate Resilience Review and the London Surface Water Strategy. Deputy Mayor Coban highlighted the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat waves, and outlined measures being taken, such as the forthcoming heat risk plan and ongoing work on the Flood Ready London Partnership. He also mentioned efforts to identify land for flood defences in collaboration with Transport for London.

Assembly Member Thomas Turrell raised concerns about the timeline for long-term flood defence options for the Thames Barrier, with Deputy Mayor Coban confirming ongoing work with the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He also noted that the GLA is commissioning consultants to assess investment needs for raising the barrier.

Assembly Member Zack Polanski inquired about the heat plan, with Deputy Mayor Coban stating it is expected to be published this side of the summer and will include tangible actions for councils to adapt public realms to extreme heat. He also discussed the importance of engaging trade unions and employers on creating healthy workplaces, referencing the fossil-free Trandepo in Croydon as an example.

Assembly Member Andrew Boff raised questions about the green belt review and its potential impact on green cover in London. Deputy Mayor Coban stated that the focus is on increasing accessible green spaces and that the London Plan, currently in formulation, will provide more clarity on the review. He emphasized the Mayor's commitment to making London 47% spatially green, with a focus on accessibility.

Green Roots Funding

Assembly Member Anne Clarke inquired about the Green Roots Fund, with Deputy Mayor Coban highlighting its success and accessibility, leading to hundreds of applications. He confirmed that feedback is provided to unsuccessful applicants and that priority areas for the second round include waterways and trees. He also mentioned the development of the London Green Infrastructure Framework to direct investment to areas of high need.

Net Zero Progress

Assembly Member Thomas Turrell questioned the likelihood of London meeting the Mayor's 2030 net zero target. Deputy Mayor Coban expressed confidence in achieving the Mayor's manifesto commitments, stating that carbon emissions have reduced by 23% since 2016. He acknowledged that decarbonising buildings remains a challenge but highlighted the Warmer Homes Plan and Local Power Plan as key initiatives.

Assembly Member Keith Prince raised concerns about Transport for London (TfL) potentially missing its 2030 zero-emission bus fleet target. Deputy Mayor Coban refuted this, stating that TfL is confident in reaching its target, provided the right factors, such as grid capacity, are in place. He also clarified that the 2030 target has always been an ambition, and the GLA is working towards it.

Warm Homes Plan and Heat Networks

Assembly Member Keith Prince asked about the GLA's response to the government's Warm Homes Plan and its approach to heat networks. Deputy Mayor Coban reiterated the importance of the Warm Homes London initiative, a partnership with London Councils, to accelerate retrofit across the city and secure government funding. Megan Life explained that heat networks are a significant opportunity for London and that the GLA is working with London Councils and boroughs to determine the structure and remit of the zone coordination body. She acknowledged challenges with heat networks, including consumer costs and disruption, and stated that the GLA would seek to designate heat network zones only where they make sense for Londoners and utilize waste heat affordably.

Assembly Member Andrew Boff raised concerns about customer choice and potential overcharging with heat networks, questioning the Mayor's role in ensuring fair rates. Deputy Mayor Coban stated that the GLA does not have a role in awarding contracts for heat networks but is engaged in ongoing conversations with the government about ensuring equitable outcomes. Megan Life confirmed that the GLA would seek to designate heat network zones only where they utilize waste heat to deliver an affordable product for Londoners.

Green Finance and Community Energy

Assembly Member Thomas Turrell questioned the effectiveness of the Mayor's Edge Funds, which had yet to make its first deal. Deputy Mayor Coban acknowledged that the Edge Fund has been less successful than other finance offers but highlighted the establishment of the London Climate Finance Facility and the Green Finance Task Force to drive growth in the green economy. Megan Life explained that the Edge Fund was an innovative attempt to provide a one-stop shop for technical assistance and private finance for green projects, and that the model is being reviewed.

Regarding community energy, Deputy Mayor Coban stated that £630,000 has been committed to the eighth round of the Community Energy Fund, with an increased core grant support of 10-25%. He noted over 118 applications and expressed hope for future rounds, emphasizing the need for government investment in community energy.

Green Schools

Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz asked about lessons learned from the green schools program. Deputy Mayor Coban highlighted the savings achieved through retrofitting schools with solar panels, which can be reinvested in education. He mentioned funding for 48 projects and the integration of climate education into the curriculum. Megan Life discussed the indoor air quality filters program, with over 116 schools already equipped, and confirmed ongoing work to deliver this to more schools.

Waste and the Circular Economy

Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz inquired about the strategy for achieving household waste recycling targets. Deputy Mayor Coban highlighted the positive increase in recycling rates and the forthcoming simpler recycling scheme from the government, which aims to standardize waste management. He also discussed the importance of reducing waste at the source and promoting reuse, referencing the launch of the UK's first circular construction hub. Megan Life added that the removal of reduction and recycling plans was a policy update reflecting the new national reforms.

Data Centres

Assembly Member Zack Polanski raised concerns about the environmental impact of data centres. Deputy Mayor Coban stated that the GLA is working with the planning team to develop a dedicated data centre policy within the London Plan, addressing concerns around water and energy consumption. Megan Life confirmed that the policy would aim to balance economic growth benefits with mitigating environmental impacts. The committee also discussed the need for transparency and potential retrospective measures to address the environmental impact of existing data centres.

Air Quality

Assembly Member Joanne McCartney asked about the Mayor's plan to bring London's air quality into compliance with current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Deputy Mayor Coban confirmed the Mayor's commitment to WHO guidelines by 2030 and stated that a pathway to achieving these targets is being developed with Imperial College London and other organizations. Poppy Lyle, Head of Air Quality at the GLA, explained that this research will assess current progress and identify any additional measures needed. She also highlighted ongoing work on construction industry emissions and raising awareness around wood burning.

Airports and Noise/Air Quality Impacts

Assembly Member Zack Polanski raised concerns about the environmental impacts of airport expansion, particularly Heathrow. Deputy Mayor Coban reiterated the Mayor's clear opposition to any expansion of Heathrow, stating it would undermine climate commitments and air quality progress. He confirmed ongoing engagement with stakeholders and campaigners, and that the GLA is evaluating the situation. The committee discussed the Mayor's position on legal action against Heathrow expansion and the potential for job creation versus environmental impact.