Addressing climate change

Climate change poses some of the greatest challenges facing mankind today. The Network responds to these challenges in the following ways:
Mitigation

• Reducing overall CO₂ emissions through increased energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels;
• using low carbon heat that would otherwise be released to the environment; and
• potential to use low and zero carbon sources, for example locally produced biomass. Adaptation
• Diversity of sources increases resilence to fossil fuel cost rises; and
• potential to provide low carbon cooling in the future.

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Environmental benefit

Connecting London’s buildings to the Network has the potential to offset 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year. The Network removes the need for local boilers, taking away with it flues, chimneys and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Replacing a boiler in the home withlow carbon heat from the Network increases resource efficiency and dramatically reduces harm to the global environment. A community supplied through a heat network is also future-proofed, as it allows for the provision of new zero carbon heat technologies such as biomass, biogas and fuel cells as they become available.

Replacing a boiler in the home with low carbon heat from the Network increases resource efficiency and dramatically reduces harm to the global environment.

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Creating jobs and a new industry

The construction phase of the Network will create over 200 jobs, contributing to London’s economic vitality at a
time when many industries are struggling to survive. It is increasingly recognised that the UK needs “green collar” jobs, and the skills needed to deliver the Network will deliver just that.

In addition to the construction of the Network, the project will create 50 permanent jobs and has the potential to launch a new district heating industry in London and the UK.

 

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Addressing fuel poverty

Many people in London find that heating their homes is a luxury that they cannot afford. Fuel poverty occurs when a household has to spend more than 10% of it’s income on warmth.

The independent report ‘Fuel Poverty in London’, recently produced for the GLA, concludes that the lower disposable incomes of many Londoners – principally because of higher housing costs - need to be considered when determining if a household is fuel poor. The Government’s definition of fuel poverty fails to do this. When housing costs are taken into account, up to 24% of London’s households are in fact fuel poor, rather than the figure of around 10% suggested by the Government.

The provision of an affordable, reliable source of heat is vital to address this challenge.