London is aiming to employ smart city technologies and AI to address climate change challenges. Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a major review into how technology can be harnessed to future proof the city, Western Europe’s largest urban region.

According to new data, London has attracted more than 1,750 new international tech firms in the last decade, and the city is home to a growing climate tech sector.

In a speech to tech firms at London Tech Week, the Mayor described how technology is already being employed in London to combat air pollution, climate change and congestion. This includes the digital infrastructure which powers the congestion charging zone, hundreds of air quality sensors providing real-time pollution alerts to Londoners, London’s zero emission bus fleets, more than thirteen thousand new electric charging points, sensors in south London to predict and take action to prevent local floods, contactless payments and journey planning apps as well as use of data and AI to help reduce congestion.

The Mayor added that the London Climate Resilience Review, led by Emma Howard Boyd CBE, Chair of the Green Finance Institute and UN Global Ambassador for Race to Resilience and Race to Zero, would look at the important role that technology and data can play in improving London’s response to the climate emergency and called on the tech industry to contribute to this crucial work.  

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “‘I am committed to ensuring that London adapts effectively to the climate risks it faces using every mechanism at our disposal including the power of technology.  

“The climate emergency is an issue of social justice as the impacts of climate change are not evenly felt. Londoners on lower incomes, those living in areas of high deprivation, people with disabilities and those from ethnically diverse backgrounds are disproportionately likely to be affected by the climate crisis and I am eager to explore how technology can be embraced to help reduce that risk. 

“London is at the forefront of cities globally in using data and technology to reduce congestion, improve air quality and public transport. This important review will gain independent insight into what more needs to be done to make London a climate resilient city as we harness the power of our thriving tech industry to make London a better, greener and safer city for all.”    

Emma Howard Boyd CBE, the review’s Chair, UN Global Ambassador for the Race to Resilience and former Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “London needs to be climate ready. During 2022’s heatwave London hospitals had to cancel operations as systems crashed in the record-breaking heat. In 2021, flash flooding stopped people getting to work as roads and underground stations were inundated. 

“London should be a global leader in climate security so we need to review its preparations for predictable impacts like storms, floods, droughts and heatwaves. A resilient and successful 21st century city must develop in ways that protect lives and livelihoods. This review is for all of London. Catastrophe is not inevitable but failure to prepare would be a disaster.”