London mayor Boris Johnson has announced that hundreds of public buildings across the capital are to benefit from environmental improvements with the help of a new £100m fund.

The investment will be made available as low-cost loans towards green projects, which will include the installation of efficient lighting systems, ventilation and boiler upgrades. It is thought that London's public buildings are responsible for 10 per cent of the capital's carbon emissions and retrofitting green measures will help cut fuel bills and emissions.

The new London Energy Efficiency Fund (LEEF) is part of a wider drive by the mayor to retrofit London's buildings that are responsible for 80 per cent of carbon emissions. LEEF is being led by Amber Infrastructure, which has secured £50m from RBS. A further £50m has been provided by the London Green Fund following agreement with the mayor.

Johnson said: "Retrofitting London is a priority as not only will it cut carbon and energy costs, but also inject billions of pounds into the city's economy, and create tens of thousands of jobs. "This multi-million pound fund will assist in improving the efficiency of the capital's public buildings. It is a great example of the type of innovative thinking that will stimulate green economic growth for the capital while also saving taxpayers' money on energy bills."

Details: www.leef.co.uk Image: Janis Lacis/shutterstock.com