Global mayors ‘inspired’ by climate mandates despite ‘resistance’ from taxpayers
Mayors around the globe are expressing support for London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s unpopular climate mandates, with some mayors pledging to follow suit.
London is roiling with growing unrest over Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZs), areas in London accessible only to low-emission vehicles. Cars that do not meet the city’s environmental standards are charged £12.50 ($16) for entering the ULEZ. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras positioned around the zones read license plates and check them against the vehicles’ make and model in real time. If a vehicle does not meet the environmental threshold, the fine is levied against the car owner. Failure to pay can lead to fines as high as £258 ($331).
Nearly half of London’s residents — over four million people — now live in ULEZs, which cover the North and South Circular Roads. By August 29th, the ULEZ will expand to encompass all London boroughs, drawing heavy protests from residents as reports of small businesses shutting down because of climate mandates grow.
Many Londoners are refusing to pay ULEZ climate fines. Others have been removing the ANPR cameras installed to monitor vehicles, which Transport for London (TfL) says also serve as security cameras for law enforcement to “prevent and detect crime”. A British Army veteran recently made headlines for launching a seven-day hunger strike to protest the mandate. Some local councils are outwardly refusing to allow ULEZ signage or cameras to be erected.
But globalist mayors are lauding Khan’s refusal to heed taxpayers. According to the Evening Standard, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala is “inspired” by the ULEZ mandate, which he will use to “help inform part of Milan’s own strategy” for “climate change.”
Oslo Mayor Raymond Johansen also called Khan an “inspiration” for not giving into “resistance” from taxpayers. Johansen is facing pushback for his own climate mandate: a ban on diesel vehicles on “high pollution days.”
“I see the establishment of the Ulez and its expansion as a sign of bold leadership from Mayor Khan,” said Johansen. “If you really want to tackle poor air quality in a large city like London, you need to introduce measures that are substantial enough to make a real difference, even if it meets resistance from parts of the city. This serves as an inspiration to other cities.”
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante echoed her “inspiration” from Khan’s mandates.
“Many cities across the world are already looking at the ULEZ in London and getting inspiration to elaborate similar schemes,” Plante said.
Plante, Khan, Johansen and Sala are all on the steering committee of C40, a George Soros-funded conglomerate of nearly 100 global mayors who have pledged to transform their cities to meet the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Guidelines.
To meet those guidelines, C40 has adopted a slew of measures such as prescribing a meal plan for residents called the Planetary Health Diet. The diet is limited to 2,500 calories a day and is mostly plant based, with 50% fruits and vegetables and 50% other foods such as whole grains, plant-based protein, legumes, nuts, and small amounts of animal-sourced protein.
Other C40 measures include reducing the consumption of clothing and textiles by 39% by 2030, an 18% reduction in electronics and household appliances by 2030, a 26% reduction in aviation by 2030, and a 28% reduction in private transport by 2030. Higher numbers are set for 2050.
C40 mayors are also implementing Zero Emissions Areas, or “clean air zones,” where there are no carbon emissions. In Zero Emissions Areas private car transport is discouraged and residents are pushed to walk, cycle, or ride public transportation.
