Campaigning to clean up London’s freight

We’re funding Clean Cities’ Clean Cargo Capital campaign to increase political pressure on the Mayor of London. Our hope is that the Mayor will implement ambitious policies to reduce freight’s polluting emissions.

We’ve worked with businesses, consumers, and councils to test better, smarter and greener ways to transport goods and services. Based on that work, we know there are several, business-friendly ways to reduce air pollution from freight.

Clean Cities’ campaign will call for the adoption of a green deal for electric and pedal-powered freight as well as introduction of a Zero Emission Freight Zone in central London.

Building on momentum, Clean Cities will bring together an alliance of businesses, campaigners and local politicians to speak out in support of electric and pedal-powered freight. Their campaign will use a range of tactics, including commissioning research, delivering stakeholder briefings, running events and setting up stunts with grassroots campaigners.

The Clean Cities team have a strong track record in influencing air quality policy in London and other European cities. Their knowledge of the sector, networks and experience of delivering flagship policies, such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), put them in a strong position to lead a successful clean freight campaign.

A just transition to clean freight will be at the heart of the campaign. Clean Cities will work with membership organisations for small businesses, who may not have the resources to quickly adapt the way they work, as well as larger organisations. They will also build relationships with Black and minority-owned businesses, as well as residents’ groups and community organisations, to make sure local voices are heard in the campaign.

Aim of the partnership

Building a cleaner freight system will improve air quality in urban areas. Through this partnership, a robust case will be made for flagship policies that accelerate, incentivise and regulate a sector-wide shift towards clean freight solutions.

Policies piloted in London are often adopted in other cities across the UK and beyond. We will share campaign learnings to influence wider change.

By the end of the two-year campaign period, we want to see the Mayor of London consulting on potential solutions and setting out a practical implementation timeline. We recognise this is a medium to long-term policy ask. However, announcing a policy shift would give a clear signal to businesses to start planning for the change and accelerate any existing moves towards clean freight.

Connection to our strategy

Our Health effects of air pollution programme finds equitable solutions to poor air quality in cities. Exposure to air pollution is not spread equally across London. NOx pollution is, on average, between 24% and 31% higher in areas where Black and minoritised communities are most likely to live. Diesel is the dominant source of NOx pollution in London and currently almost all freight vehicles run on diesel engines. Driving down freight emissions will benefit all residents’ health. But it would have an outsized impact on the health and wellbeing of Black and minoritised ethnic groups.

Influencing those with the power to make change freight policy will help to reduce the greatest environmental risk to health in urban areas.