City of London signs up to light pollution pledge

The City of London Corporation has thrown its weight behind the battle against light pollution by becoming a signatory of the Lighting Urban Community International (LUCI) pledge.

As the governing body responsible for the Square Mile, this step solidifies the corporation’s determination to wield its planning powers and compel developers to reduce artificial lighting usage, contributing to energy conservation efforts.

Joining the esteemed LUCI network, which boasts 68 major cities worldwide, including renowned urban centers such as Paris, Seoul, and Shanghai, the City of London demonstrates its alignment with the global objective of addressing the issue of light pollution. This commitment resonates perfectly with the corporation’s ambitious Climate Action Strategy, which sets a target for the Square Mile to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.

The LUCI declaration encompasses a set of seven key objectives, each harmonizing with the City Corporation’s overarching sustainability strategy. These objectives include embracing net-zero lighting, minimizing light pollution, supporting health and well-being, fostering public-private dialogue, increasing public engagement in development projects, integrating light art into public spaces, and emphasizing the significance of lighting in urban planning policies.

To further consolidate their dedication to these goals, the City Corporation recently carried out a consultation on its Lighting Supplementary Planning Document. Under this document, developers will be required to submit comprehensive strategies outlining their approach to lighting in their projects. Additionally, the City Corporation’s Considerate Lighting Charter will encourage existing property owners and occupants to make a conscious effort to turn off lights when not in use. In the near future, a dynamic campaign will be launched to rally local businesses to endorse the charter.

Shravan Joshi, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, expressed his support for the new strategy, emphasising the need for a balanced approach to lighting: ‘Our strategy is aimed at ensuring an intelligent and sensitive approach to lighting, that balances the safety and accessibility of the City, with the preservation of local amenity and character.

‘We wholeheartedly endorse the objectives set out in this Declaration and I would like to encourage local residents and businesses to sign up to the City’s Considerate Lighting Charter.’

Meri Lumela, Deputy Chair of the City Council of Jyväskylä in Finland and President of LUCI, welcomed the City of London’s decision, highlighting the year-long collaborative effort that led to the development of the declaration. Lumela believes that the orientations and solutions presented in the document will serve as an inspiration to cities worldwide, mobilizing them to take action against light pollution.

With its pledge to combat light pollution, the City of London Corporation emerges as a global leader in the fight for sustainable and considerate urban lighting. By joining forces with the LUCI network, the corporation demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding the environment and preserving the unique charm of the Square Mile.

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