The Mayor of London has set out details of the extra £22 million he is proposing to invest next year on improving London’s environment and tackling climate change.

In his letter to London Green Party Assembly Members, released today, the Mayor has given details of commitments he is planning to make in next year’s budget 2006/2007.

Assembly members are currently debating whether to back the Mayor's annual budget.

Included in the Mayor's green package are a series of measures to improve Londoners’ environment and quality of life:

    * Work to deliver a new large-scale exemplary sustainable development in London, using renewables and the most energy efficient building design with no net carbon emissions. Work will start on a feasibility study so that a site and developer can be identified.
    * More funding for the work of London Food to improve the health of Londoners and make London’s food system more sustainable.
    * A commitment to introducing 70 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into London by 2010.
    * Work to improve air quality and Londoner’s health by continuing to develop proposals for a Low Emission Zone for Greater London that will introduce high charges for the most polluting lorries, buses and coaches from the streets of London.
    * Work to establish a Green Home Advice Centre. This centre would offer Londoners a full advice through to installation service to make their homes more eco-friendly.
    * 10 million for enabling people to travel more sustainably
    * Increased investment in cycling on the London Cycle Network and cycle parking to encourage more Londoners to cycle. This will build on work to improve cycle parking and training in schools.

The Mayor of London said: “Improving the environment is a major priority for this administration. This package of measures is geared towards delivering real environmental improvements and making London a sustainable world city.

“Londoners can expect to see real change in their local environment as we invest more in cycling initiatives, tackle climate change by cutting emissions and invest more in protecting and improving our green spaces.

“I have set out this package to Green Assembly members today in order to inform the Assembly's budget debate this week. I hope that Assembly members will back the budget in order to help me deliver these environmental measures.

“The green measures I put before the Assembly last year have led to real progress and my aim is to build on that work over the coming twelve months.”

Jenny Jones Green Party Member of the London Assembly said: "These proposals will result in Londoners having safer roads, cleaner air and better food. There will be more renewable energy being used in London, better facilities for cyclists and improved protection for wildlife. Local people fighting massive developments like Heathrow will get more support from their Mayor and London will become a world leader in fighting climate change."

Darren Johnson Green Party Member of the London Assembly said:  "I am very pleased that the Mayor has continued to bring forward green proposals. This draft budget represents a massive step forward in making London a greener city. We have seen significant commitments from the Mayor in areas where action is needed. This is a budget that deserves support, so long as the precept comes down to 13.5 per cent in the final budget in February."