New deputy mayor for environment and energy appointed for London

Shirley Rodrigues will drive forward plans for tackling air pollution, including expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), new charges for old, polluting vehicles, and creating Low Emission Bus Zones.

Shirley is currently Acting Executive Director for Climate Change at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), an independent philanthropic organisation that works to transform the lives of poor and vulnerable children in developing countries.

Shirley has worked in City Hall in senior environmental policy roles from 2005 to 2009, helping to implement the London Low Emission Zone and programmes to retrofit London’s residential and commercial buildings.

She helped establish CIFF's cities and climate strategy and represents CIFF on the board of the C40 Large Cities Leadership Group – a network of global cities committed to addressing climate change.

With around 9,500 Londoners dying from long-term exposure to air pollution every year, cleaning up London’s toxic air is one of the biggest health emergencies facing London. Shirley will use her wealth of environmental expertise to drive forward the Mayor’s hard-hitting plans for tackling air pollution across the capital including expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), new charges for the oldest most polluting vehicles and creating Low Emission Bus Zones. 

Shirley will also oversee the delivery of Energy for Londoners - helping Londoners generate more low-carbon electricity and will help boost London’s recycling rates and cut landfill.

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