Seven years after London's first climate emergency declaration, three of the capital's 33 local authorities have still not made one: Bexley, Bromley and the City of London. These councils have never formally acknowledged a climate crisis through such a declaration, instead focusing on direct action to reduce emissions.
Councils prioritise action over declarations
Most London councils declared a climate emergency in 2019, with Barking and Dagenham, Hillingdon, Barnet and Havering following between 2020 and 2023. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) and MyLondon, as part of the Wasted campaign, asked the three holdouts why they have not declared and what they are doing to tackle the crisis.
Bexley Council, Bromley Council and the City of London Corporation said they prioritise concrete progress on carbon footprint reduction over what Bromley called "virtue-signalling" and Bexley termed "climate alarmism."
Bromley: London's greenest borough?
Bromley is known as London's greenest borough, with over half its area green belt land. Josh Coldspring-White, Bromley's Executive Councillor for the Environment, said: "Whilst other boroughs may engage in virtue-signalling on climate change by passing motions declaring a climate emergency, Bromley Council and its contractors have actively been pursuing substantive work and undertaking real practical measures to reduce our carbon footprint instead."
He added: "Since 2018 for example, we have successfully reduced the emissions of the council by 55 per cent, which is great progress by any measurement and all of that without wasting millions of pounds of council tax-payers money in the process too."
However, the independent Council Climate Action Scorecard ranks the Conservative-run authority 31st out of 33 London councils, with low scores for governance, finance, biodiversity, and collaboration. Bromley argues it measures carbon reduction from 2018, not 2023 as the scorecard does. Its achievements include converting most street lighting to LEDs, cutting street lighting emissions by 63% since 2018/19, reducing building emissions by 49%, and cutting fleet vehicle emissions by 88%. The council also planted 5,000 street trees and 8,000 tree whips, desilted Kelsey Lakes, and secured £363,000 for Keston Ponds.
Bexley's 'strong environmental record'
Bexley Council, also Conservative-controlled, said it has a "strong environmental record, from boosting recycling and protecting our green spaces to installing new EV charging points and improving energy efficiency." A spokesperson stated: "Unlike other local authorities, we've always prioritised action over rhetoric and common sense over climate alarmism. Our approach delivers for the environment, saves taxpayer money, and enjoys the support of local people."
Bexley installed over 400 EV charging points in the last year, invested £2.5m in playgrounds, and supports home retrofits via the Warm Homes Local Grant. It restored habitats at Erith riverside, repurposing granite blocks from Chelsea Embankment. The council runs free repair workshops and a Reuse Shop at Foots Cray. Yet the Climate Action Scorecard ranks Bexley last out of 33 London councils for carbon reduction since 2023, scoring highest only on planning and land use with a 53% reduction between 2023 and 2025.
Recycling rates: Bromley leads, Bexley close
Bromley has topped London's recycling rates for four years, with residents recycling an average of 48.8% of household waste since 2015/16. Bexley maintained a 50% or higher rate from 2008/09 to 2020/21, peaking at 55% in 2013/14. The City of London ranked fifth-worst last year at 26%, largely due to its predominantly business nature.
City of London targets net zero by 2027
The City of London Corporation committed to net zero by 2027 in its operations and by 2040 across all activities. A spokesperson said: "Rather than focusing on declarations, we're tackling climate change head on and strengthening resilience across our buildings, public spaces, and infrastructure." The City considered a climate emergency motion in 2020 but voted against it, approving its Climate Action Strategy instead.
Square Mile emissions fell 24% since 2017, and the corporation's operational emissions are down 60% since 2018. It funds a net zero support programme for over 200 small and medium businesses, expected to cut 177,000 tonnes of carbon by 2040. The City added green space equivalent to 65 tennis courts, purchased 100% renewable energy since 2018, and is installing 374 leaky dams in Epping Forest for flood management, reducing risk for over 500 homes. The Carbon Disclosure Project named the City a global climate action leader. On the Climate Action Scorecard, it ranks third in London for carbon reductions between 2023 and 2025.
