The mayor wants to cut emissions by 60% within 20 years

Unveiling his Climate Change Action Plan, the mayor appealed to people to stop wasting energy.

Londoners will be offered cut-price loft and cavity wall insulation and could cut £300 a year from fuel bills by making homes more energy-efficient.

He also urged companies to invest in green technology to help slash carbon emissions by 60% within 20 years.

By 2025 he wants 25% of London's electricity supply to be from local combined heat and power systems.

City consumption

"Londoners don't have to reduce their quality of life to tackle climate change, but we do need to change the way we live," said Mr Livingstone.

"The present model of high energy production and high energy waste is utterly inefficient."

Without action, the city's carbon emissions will grow from 44 million tonnes a year to 52 million by 2025, he warned.

Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron added: "Cities have got to take the centre stage when it comes to combating climate change and London's leadership is crucial.

"Cities consume three-quarters of the world's energy and are responsible for 75% of all carbon emissions. Therefore we will fail in our efforts if the trend in cities is not reversed."

Environmentalists praised Mr Livingstone's action plans and urged the government to follow his lead