New London mayor Sadiq Kahn has announced that the acting executive director for climate change at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Shirley Rodrigues, will be the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy.
Replacing former Deputy Mayor for environment, Matthew Pencharz, Ms Rodrigues will be tasked with improving the capital’s performance in regards to recycling and landfill.
Having previously worked in City Hall for environmental policy roles from 2005 to 2009, she faces a number of key challenges to improve rates in the capital – which have been criticised in recent years – including air quality and pollution.
Across London’s 32 boroughs, recycling currently sits at around 33 per cent, becoming some of the lowest performing recycling authorities in the UK.
Among them included Lewisham and Newham, whose rates stand at 17.1 per cent and 17.2 per cent respectively in 2014/2015.
Commenting on the appointment, Sadiq Khan said that, “Shirley Rodrigues brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience and is the perfect person to deliver my agenda to make London a cleaner and greener city.”
Ms Rodrigues added: “I am delighted to be working with Sadiq on his ambitious plans to make London one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world.”
Sadiq Kahn has previously pledged to make great changes in order to combat air pollution in London.
