Sadiq Khan appoints Shirley Rodrigues as deputy mayor for environment and energy

Sadiq Khan today announced the appointment of Shirley Rodrigues as his deputy mayor for environment and energy.

MsRodrigues 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, where she oversees a £155 million global strategy and portfolio.

Ms Rodrigues has a track record of developing and implementing new environmental policies in London. She has worked previously at 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 will be one of her priorities, driving forward the Mayor’s 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.

Ms Rodrigues 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.

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said: “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.

“Shirley will drive forward the urgent action needed to ensure Londoners no longer have to fear the air we breathe and will address the failure to tackle the problem by the previous mayor and government.

“I am sure she will be a fantastic addition to my top team, taking on a crucial portfolio that has become an issue of life and death.”

Commenting on her new appointment, Shirley Rodrigues said: “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 has already proposed a radical and wide-ranging approach to clean up London’s dirty air and I feel privileged to be able to lead on this vital piece of work that will boost the quality of life and health for millions of Londoners.”