Bexley has joined cities around the world in a pledge to halve carbon emissions by 2030 – and reach net-zero emissions in the 2040s or sooner – to ensure a green and just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, October 12, 2021 Mayor Kessler formally confirmed participation in the Cities Race to Zero campaign. 

Ahead of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the Race to Zero campaign aims to bring together the most powerful coalition in history of businesses, investors, cities, and regions working together to create jobs and tackle climate change.

Though cities are among the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, accounting for more than 70% of total emissions, mayors and local leaders have emerged as global climate leaders. By signing on to the Race to Zero campaign, Bexley pledges to:

  • Endorse these principles:

    • We recognize the global climate emergency;

    • We are committed to keeping global heating below the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement;

    • We are committed to putting inclusive climate action at the center of all urban decision-making, to create thriving and equitable communities for everyone;

    • We invite our partners – political leaders, CEOs, trade unions, investors, and civil society – to join us in recognizing the global climate emergency and help us deliver on science-based action to overcome it.

  • Pledge to reach (net)-zero in the 2040s or sooner, or by mid-century at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°Celsius.

  • In advance of COP26, explain what steps will be taken toward achieving net zero, especially in the short- to medium-term. Set an interim target to achieve in the next decade, which reflects a fair share of the 50% global reduction in CO2 by 2030 identified in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°Celsius.

  • Immediately proceed to planning at least one inclusive and equitable climate action as listed on www.citiesracetozero.org that will help to place your city on a resilient pathway consistent with the 1.5°Celsius objective of the Paris Agreement and begin implementation no later than 2022.

  • Report progress annually beginning no later than 2022 to our usual or the recommended reporting platform.

Specifically, Bexley pledges to:

  • CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY "Demonstrate how actions contribute to delivering social and economic benefits, to reducing inequality and to driving a just transition for workers, through carrying out a wider benefits or equity assessments for at least 2 priority city-wide transformative climate actions."

  • CREATE GREEN AND HEALTHY STREETS "Expand and improve walking, cycling and integrated transit access and identify potential areas for future zero emission zones by 2025."

  • REDUCE AIR POLLUTION / ENSURE CLEAN AIR "Before 2025, implement new substantive policies and programmes to address the top causes of air pollution emissions within our city and under our control by 2025."

  • DEVELOP ZERO CARBON BUILDINGS "Develop a roadmap to achieve net zero carbon new buildings from 2030."

  • ADVANCE TOWARDS ZERO WASTE "Ensure all waste generated in the city is being collected and residual waste is disposed of adequately in at least an engineered sanitary landfill."

  • CREATE SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS "Create a food council/board with local stakeholders by 2025."

  • MOVE TOWARDS RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS "Lead by example by specifying low carbon materials and zero emission construction machinery in municipal procurement."