London Fire Brigade’s vehicles meet the Low Emission Zone requirements and are on track to meet future requirements. It is reducing its overall energy use through a programme of energy efficiency and renewable energy with photovoltaic cells, solar heating panels and wind turbines fitted at some fire stations. In 2007/08 it reduced overall water usage in buildings by 1.73 per cent. It has exceeded the London Mayor’s CO2 emission reduction target of 15 per cent by 2010 (from 1990 levels having reduced levels by 17.4 per cent so far. It achieved this through initiatives such as combined heat and power schemes to produce renewable and low carbon energy and high efficiency lighting installations at fire stations.
A staff motivation scheme which includes ‘green champions’ at most sites is raising awareness and reducing energy usage. This is also helping to achieve an average recycling rate of 44 per cent a month. In taking forward its Responsible Procurement Policy, it has delivered improvements on supplier diversity, is paying the London Living wage to 180 Londoners through its contracts, and achieved 83 per cent reuse on over 300 tonnes of furniture from the relocation of its HQ. These efforts were recognised in winning the City of London’s Sustainable City Award and Sustainable Procurement award.