The LSDC has written and commissioned research on issues that are critical to London. You can find our recent publications below. Please contact us if you can't find what you're looking for.
Income Inequalities
This is a complex subject and there are no easy solutions to what is a multifactorial and long-term issue. The London Sustainable Development Commission (LSDC) has therefore committed to investigate the issue, starting with a piece of research on the subject by Professors Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. This work opens up the debate on the cause and potential effects of income inequalities in London and the LSDC is keen to hear all sides before drawing its own conclusions. Therefore the next steps we are taking include commissioning a review by other academics in the field. We are also inviting others to comment by email at LSDC@london.gov.uk.
The impact of income inequalities on sustainable development in London [PDF 3.6MB]
The impact of income inequalities on sustainable development in London [RTF 247KB]
Correction to figure 24
Sustainable development at the strategic level
Capital Consumption: the transition to sustainable consumption and production in London - December, 2009
This timely report from the LSDC and BioRegional, published in the run up to climate negotiations in Copenhagen, examines the full extent of London's carbon dioxide emissions when including those from imported goods consumed in London. The report also illustrates how adopting measures to reduce consumption based carbon emissions could also help create jobs, build a more resilient economy and benefit the health and social well-being of Londoners.
Capital Consumption [PDF 5.5MB]
Capital Consumption [RTF 240KB]
London's Quality of Life Indicators 2008-09 Report
This is the LSDC's third Quality of Life Indicators report. The report monitors a suite of indicators chosen to provide a cross cutting snapshot of London's sustainability performance and provides baseline data that will inform the Commission's future work programme.
Quality of Life Indicators Reports
Sustainable Development Framework for London
LSDC Sustainable Development Framework for London [PDF 95.2Kb]
Making your plans sustainable: a London guide [PDF 1.45Mb]
Gaps and opportunities in implementing the UK Sustainable Development Strategy: Securing the Future
This is a summary of research undertaken on behalf of the London Sustainable Development Commission (LSDC) and Government Office for London (GOL) in 2005-06. It assesses how London is tackling the challenges set out in the new national sustainability strategy, 'Securing the Future', identifies any gaps in London's policy response and suggests where opportunities may occur.
LSDC Gapsopps Summary [PDF 146Kb]
LSDC Gapsopps Summary [RTF 140Kb]
Virtuous Cycles: demonstrating the benefits of a sustainable development approach
Virtuous cycle thinking can help decision makers plan and deliver objectives in an integrated way. The major advantage is that environmental and social value can be increased at lower whole life cost. This research commissioned by the LSDC uses a number of case studies to illustrate the benefits of taking a virtuous cycle approach to policy and project development.
Virtuous Cycles [PDF 3.24Mb]
Embedding sustainability at the local level
LAA Leaflet
Our guide to creating cleaner, safer and healthier communities highlights local authorities in action, putting sustainability at the heart of their approach to Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements.
Embedding sustainable development into Local Area Agreements - LAA Report
Future Proofing Your LAA - LAA Outcomes Borough Leaders
We held a seminar with senior local authority officials and leaders to understand what help they needed in taking an integrated approach to sustainable development locally. Our summary advice: Future Proofing Your LAA, highlights what we heard.
Evaluating Sustainable Procurement - Development and testing of a sustainable procurement evaluation tool
Part funded by the Defra Sustainable Development Partnership and Innovation Fund in 2006-07, this piece of research examines the use of an online sustainable procurement tool to help organisations develop a strategic approach to sustainable procurement.
Evaluating Sustainable Procurement [PDF 276Kb]
Sustainable development in action and the London Leaders programme
A Year in the Life of the London Leaders 2007-08
The LSDC's first annual report of the London Leaders programme. This report provides an overview of the first year of the programme, includes case stories of Leaders' projects and makes recommendations for the development of the programme.
A Year in the Life of the London Leaders 2007-08 [PDF 1.71Mb]
London Leaders 2009 Brochure
London Leaders 2009 Brochure [PDF 532Kb]
London Leaders 2009 Brochure [RTF 28Kb]
A Greater London: Making it Happen - Making it happen
Published in October 2007, 'A Greater London: Making it Happen' helps to set the sustainability agenda for London up to 2050. Drawing on international research undertaken on behalf of the Commission, the report features case studies from across the world that demonstrate an integrated approach to sustainable development.
A Greater London: Making it Happen - Making it happen [PDF 2.74Mb]
A Greater London: what are you doing?
A Greater London: what are you doing? [PDF 1.05Mb]
Sustainability Challenge London
Sustainability Challenge London was commissioned in 2006 by the Commission and undertaken by Golder Associates. This international research informed the development of the Commission's London Leaders programme and highlights key sustainability success factors critical for a sustainable city approach.
Sustainability Challenge London [PDF 937Kb]
Other research and projects
LSDC Air Transport Impacts
The Impacts of Air Transport in London
LSDC Air Transport Impacts [PDF 1Mb]
LSDC Air Transport Impacts [RTF 102Kb]
LSDC Air Transport SKM
Detailed research for the Commission by SKM consultants
LSDC Air Transport SKM [PDF 662Kb]
LSDC Air Transport SKM [RTF 1.6Mb]