Richmond Council to Debate AI Policy and Environmental Impact

30 January 2026

Richmond upon Thames Council is set to debate its policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its commitment to achieving net-zero targets, with a particular focus on the borough's ambition to become net-zero by 2043.

The council convened on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to discuss a range of critical issues, including the significant environmental footprint of AI. Councillor Charlie Engel proposed a motion calling for the establishment of a Public Ethical and Environmental AI Policy. This policy aims to address the benefits and risks associated with AI, acknowledging concerns about data access, AI's effect on resident interaction, and the substantial and growing energy and water consumption of AI systems.

The motion highlighted the rapid global increase in AI use and the expansion of data farms. It stressed that AI is central to the Council's Transformation Programme, with current applications including piloting unpaid carers' assessments within adult social care, where AI assists in generating assessments and handling follow-ups by conversing with users and collecting information. AI is also being considered for use in bin lorries to scan road surfaces for damage and potholes. The council's internal AI policy covers governance, transparency, privacy, fairness, data protection, bias mitigation, safety, security, and risk management. Environmental risks identified include the unparalleled energy consumption of AI systems, potential irreparable damage to the environment, and the lack of reliable data on resource usage by data centres, which could lead to water shortfalls and increased abstraction from the Thames.

Councillor Andrée Frieze, Leader of the Opposition, initiated a debate on how the Council will achieve its net-zero goal by 2043. The discussion emphasized the urgency of climate action, with contributions focusing on decarbonizing domestic heating. To support this, the council is proposing to launch the Richmond Community Energy Cooperative, enabling community investment in solar and batteries on public buildings and exploring other renewables and financing methods. An additional initiative is the Richmond Community Energy Accelerator Fund, designed to cover feasibility work for such projects. Furthermore, a light-touch feasibility support fund and information sessions are being developed to assist voluntary and community organizations in decarbonizing, including exploring alternatives to gas boiler replacements.

The full details of the council's discussions and proposals can be found in the Public reports pack for Tuesday 27 January 2026 and the Agenda frontsheet for Tuesday 27 January 2026.

Councils Involved

Richmond upon Thames

Meetings Involved

the Council of Richmond upon Thames Council on 27 January 2026

People Involved

Councillor Matthew Hull Liberal Democrat Party Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Councillor Jo Humphreys Liberal Democrat Party Whitton

Councillor Alan Juriansz Vice-Chair, Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee and Lead Member for Sport Liberal Democrat Party West Twickenham

Ben Khosa Liberal Democrat Party St Margarets and North Twickenham

Councillor Rhi Lee Liberal Democrat Party South Twickenham

Councillor Katie Mansfield Richmond Town Centre Project Lead Member and White Ribbon Champion Liberal Democrat Party St Margarets and North Twickenham

Zoe McLeod Liberal Democrat Party East Sheen

Councillor Anton McNulty-Howard Liberal Democrat Party Mortlake and Barnes Common

Councillor Nancy Baldwin Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrat Party North Richmond

Richard Bennett Chair of Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee Green Party South Twickenham

Councillor Carey Bishop Liberal Democrat Party Hampton North

Alice Bridges-Westcott Liberal Democrat Party Kew

Robin Brown Liberal Democrat Party Hampton Wick and South Teddington

Councillor Michael Butlin Armed Forces Champion Liberal Democrat Party South Twickenham

Councillor Julia Cambridge Chair of Education and Children's Services Committee Liberal Democrat Party East Sheen

Councillor Jonathan Cardy Chair of the Planning Committee Liberal Democrat Party Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Councillor James Chard Vice-Chair Transport & Air Quality Committee. Liberal Democrat Party Twickenham Riverside

Councillor John Coombs Spokesperson for Arts and Culture Liberal Democrat Party Heathfield

Ian Craigie Vice-Chair of the Joint Pensions Committee Liberal Democrat Party Kew

Niki Crookdake Green Party Mortlake and Barnes Common

Councillor Sam Dalton Liberal Democrat Party Hampton

Councillor Margaret Dane Disability Champion Liberal Democrat Party East Sheen

Councillor Jeremy Davis Liberal Democrat Party Hampton North

Councillor Alexander Ehmann Joint Deputy Leader and Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee Liberal Democrat Party St Margarets and North Twickenham

Councillor Charlie Engel Vice-chair, Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee Liberal Democrat Party Teddington

Petra Fleming Liberal Democrat Party Hampton Wick and South Teddington

Andrée Frieze Leader of the Opposition Green Party Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Councillor Penelope Frost Joint vice-chair of the Planning committee and Young People’s Champion Liberal Democrat Party Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Councillor Elizabeth Gant Vice-chair of Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sport committee and the Policy and Performance Review Board Liberal Democrat Party Hampton North

Councillor Phil Giesler Business and Growth Lead Member Liberal Democrat Party Teddington

Councillor Andy Hale Liberal Democrat Party Barnes

Councillor Jim Millard Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources Lead Member Liberal Democrat Party Hampton Wick and South Teddington

Marjory Millum Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee Liberal Democrat Party Barnes

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts Deputy Leader and Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee Liberal Democrat Party Twickenham Riverside

Suzette Nicholson Liberal Democrat Party Hampton

Laura O'Brien Liberal Democrat Party West Twickenham

Stephen O'Shea Liberal Democrat Party Twickenham Riverside

Rob O`Carroll Liberal Democrat Party Whitton

Tony Paterson Liberal Democrat Party Mortlake and Barnes Common

Councillor Lesley Pollesche Liberal Democrat Party Heathfield

Councillor Richard Pyne Liberal Democrat Party North Richmond

Gareth Richards Cycling Champion Liberal Democrat Party Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Councillor Gareth Roberts Leader of the Council Liberal Democrat Party Hampton

Councillor Fiona Sacks Sanctuary Champion Liberal Democrat Party Barnes

Councillor Kuldev Sehra Liberal Democrat Party Whitton

Councillor Chris Varley Lead Member for Housing and Vice-Chair Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee Liberal Democrat Party South Richmond

Councillor Paulina Vassileva Tenants’ Champion Liberal Democrat Party South Richmond

Councillor Clare Vollum Deputy Mayor and Dementia Champion Liberal Democrat Party Kew

Chas Warlow Deputy Leader of the Opposition Green Party South Richmond

Councillor Richard Warren Chair of Policy and Performance Review Board Liberal Democrat Party North Richmond

Councillor Michael Wilson Liberal Democrat Party Heathfield

Caroline Wren Green Party Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Councillor Piers Allen Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board Liberal Democrat Party West Twickenham

Councillor Richard Baker Liberal Democrat Party Teddington

Topics

Public Ethical and Environmental AI Policy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Richmond Community Energy Cooperative Richmond Community Energy Accelerator Fund London Borough of Richmond