In his role as a 'London Leader' the Principal of King's, Professor Rick Trainor initiated and participated in a major conference on 'Achieving sustainable air quality', held at the College on 23/01/2008. Prior to the start of the conference he launched the College's Energy Awareness campaign.

Professor Trainor, was appointed a 'London Leader' in September 2007 by the London Sustainable Development Commission. Their objective is to provide a 'Greater London' in all senses: a sustainable London which supports its residents and thinks of future generations.

The London Leaders programme will catalyse change to tackle London's ingrained problems. As a result of the strong academic record at King's on environmental problems, and the College's resolute efforts to improve its record with regard to carbon emissions, the Principal was identified as one 15 London Leaders expected to inspire and empower others to take action in their own communities, homes and workplaces, with benefits permeating all sectors.

In autumn 2008 each London Leader will be asked to demonstrate sustainability in action and show what can be achieved. For the Principal, this was initiating, welcoming and participating in this conference.

The conference was organised by the College's Environmental Research Group, a leading provider of air quality information and research in the UK.

The conference speakers included: Paul Ekins, member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and Professor of Energy & Environment Policy at King's; Professor Frank Kelly (Head of the Environmental Research Group at King's and a key figure in monitoring London's air quality); and Martin Williams, Head of the Air and Environmental Quality Division at Defra and a Visiting Professor at the College. Another contributor was Ian Caldwell, Director of Estates & Facilities at King's, who has led the College's improvements in its own environmental record.

The Principal comments on his contribution to the London Leaders programme:
''My commitment is to promote collaborative, inter-disciplinary research to develop solutions to public policy issues relating to sustainability. This will draw on the considerable academic expertise and improving institutional practice within King's. I hope that this symposium will advocate novel, integrated solutions that can be put to regional and national government.''

The College's Energy Awareness Campaign, run by the Estates & Facilities Department will be rolled out across the College with a series of road shows across the College's campuses.

King's record on sustainability includes being one of the first universities in the country to have 100 per cent of its electricity sourced from renewable large scale hydro generation and a ''Green Gown'' Award for sustainable construction methods used in the refurbishment of the Strand Building.

For more information about London Leaders, see: www.londonsdc.org/londonleaders

Several speakers have given permission for their presentations to be published on the LondonAir web site. These may be found by following the link below:

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Item date 28/01/2008