Ken Livingstone has promised to oppose the building of any new incineration plants in London and committed himself to investing more in recycling and clean gasification if he wins a third term in May’s elections.
The promises form part of Mr Livingstone’s environment manifesto which he launched this morning.
Other policies include opposition to airport expansion, “including Boris Johnson’s plan for a new airport in the Thames Gateway” and a promise to work with the capital’s borough councils to tackle litter.
Speaking at this mornings launch Mr Livingstone said the election would be important in deciding the capital’s ‘green’ future, commenting: “the outcome of this election will determine whether ground breaking policies to build on London’s commitment to the Kyoto agreement on climate change, including the £25 a day CO2 charge on gas guzzling cars and an ambitious programme of energy saving through retrofitting buildings, will proceed or not. 61% of Londoners support the £25 a day charge on gas guzzlers and only 29% are against.”
Last week Mr Livingstone was endorsed by Green Party candidate Sian Berry who urged supporters to give him their second preference votes.
Today in an effort to stress his green credentials Mr Livingstone said he was “passionate about the environment and, if I am re-elected, I will make it my personal priority to ensure that Londoners are even better able to enjoy living in one of the greenest city in the world, and that London continues to provide an international example of how to create a successful, vibrant and low-carbon city.”