10 Downing Street arch lit up green ahead of Cop26 climate summit

The installation uses energy efficient LED lights and sustainable materials

The famous 10 Downing Street doorway is being lit up in green ahead of the crucial Cop26 summit.

The installation of energy efficient LED lights and sustainable materials lighting up the arch at No 10 is modelled on National Grid’s green light signal, a low-energy smart bulb which glows green when the power supply is cleanest.

National Grid has launched an app for mobile devices and a voice assistant skill from Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to provide free-to-use tools to tell customers the cleanest times to plug in and use their appliances.

Using appliances such as tumble driers, washing machines and dishwashers and charging mobile phones at times when the power supply is coming from greener sources such as wind power could save hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon, the company said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “With Cop26 just a few days away, I’m delighted to see Downing Street glowing green to mark our progress towards achieving a clean and reliable electricity system – supplying towns and cities across the country.

“We can all do our bit to reach net zero carbon emissions, and the National Grid’s fantastic new app will help consumers power their homes and appliances with green, clean energy.”

John Pettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, said: “Overall Great Britain’s energy system is becoming greener – in the last seven years we have cut carbon emissions from the electricity system by 66%, with clean energy like wind, solar and nuclear accounting for an average of 55% of Britain’s electricity mix.

“By arming consumers with the facts about when their electricity is cleanest, we can show how every small action makes a difference to our planet.”

Published: 28/10/2021 by Radio NewsHub