The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has pledged £3 million to develop 10 flagship Low Carbon Zones to cut carbon emissions, create jobs and slash energy bills in the capital.

Speaking at HRH Prince Charles' May Day Summit on Climate Change, the Mayor formally invited applications for the Low Carbon Zones by committing at least £200,000 funding for each Zone. The Low Carbon Zones will be funded by the London Development Agency's recently approved budget for climate change activities. Private sponsorship will also be sought to help fund the programme.

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The Zones will have a target to deliver 20.12% of carbon emissions savings by 2012 and will bring together local authorities, community organisations, residents, businesses and utilities to work in partnership in a targeted geographic area.

The Mayor has pledged to cut emissions in London by 60% by 2025 and these Zones will showcase how this can be achieved using existing and new technologies, helping to establish the capital as a leading low carbon city.

Mr Johnson, said: "I am fully signed-up to taking the necessary steps to combat climate change and ensure we protect our planet. By doing so, there is great potential to deliver 'green collar' jobs in the capital and I am determined to pursue this opportunity aggressively.

"We are investing £3 million to kickstart 10 'Low Carbon Zones' which will champion the latest technologies and firmly place London on the world stage as a low carbon city. These energy-busting zones will create an armada of flagships across London, focused on finding the most effective ways to rapidly cut carbon and slash energy bills."

(CD/JM)