Sadiq Khan jets off to New York to discuss ULEZ at climate change summit – as furious drivers face London-wide charges
Sadiq Khan is set to discuss his controversial ULEZ expansion at a summit in New York next week.
The London Mayor is jetting off to the US on Sunday to attend the UN General Assembly and a climate ambition conference.
Mr Khan, who will be accompanied by a handful of aides, said he intends to ‘bang the drum for business and investment’ during the trip.
He is also set to appear with Prince William at an event for the Earthshot Prize – which highlights innovative ways to ‘repair the planet’.
But critics questioned how green it was to travel 7,000 miles to discuss environmental issues.
Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall accused Mr Khan of ‘swanning off to America to lecture everyone’ while Londoners were being hit by the ‘disastrous’ ULEZ expansion.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is jetting off to the US on Sunday to attend the UN General Assembly and a climate ambition conference
How the Ultra Low Emission Zone has expanded across London over the years
Mr Khan said: ‘I am looking forward to visiting New York where I will be banging the drum for London, showcasing our capital as the perfect destination for businesses to invest in and tourists to visit as I continue working to build a more prosperous London for everyone.
‘I’ll be meeting many leading businesses and investors during my stay and reminding them that there is nowhere better than London on the planet to set up, or grow your business.
‘I am also honoured to have been invited to participate in this key summit taking place during the United Nations General Assembly about climate change, the biggest global threat we face today.
‘I am determined for London to continue being a world leader in tackling the twin dangers of air pollution and the climate emergency. My visit to the UN is an opportunity to learn from other cities and nations and ensure London remains at the forefront of global action.’
The C40 group of world cities vowing action on climate change, which Mr Khan chairs, is reportedly funding the trip.
Mr Khan is said to have been invited to the climate gathering by UN Secretary General António Guterres.
Tony Devenish, the Tories’ City Hall environment spokesman, told the Evening Standard: ‘He has declared himself to be the ‘greenest mayor’ yet his office has reportedly accumulated over 360,000 air miles since he became mayor.
‘His latest trip, to attend a climate summit, will add even more air miles to that total, contradicting his so-called green credentials.’
Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall accused Mr Khan of ‘swanning off to America to lecture everyone’ while Londoners were being hit by the ‘disastrous’ ULEZ expansion (pictured, protests earlier this month)