Draft:Mete Coban
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Pikachu197689 (talk) 22:03, 9 August 2026 (UTC)
Mete Coban | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy | |
| Assumed office 25 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Shirley Rodrigues |
| Member of Hackney London Borough Council for Stoke Newington | |
| In office 22 May 2014 – July 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Labour |
| Education | University of Greenwich |
| Occupation | Politician |
Mete Coban MBE is a British politician who has served as the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy since 25 July 2024.[1] He is the founder of My Life My Say, a youth-led democracy organisation, and has been involved in campaigns aimed at increasing political participation and voter registration among young people.[2][3]
A member of the Labour Party, Coban was a councillor in the London Borough of Hackney from 2014 to 2024, latterly serving as Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport.[4][5] He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to young people.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Coban grew up in a council flat in Hackney, east London.[6] He studied at the University of Greenwich.[7]
In 2026, the University of Greenwich awarded Coban an honorary doctorate.[7]
My Life My Say
[edit]Coban founded My Life My Say, a youth-led democracy organisation established to increase the participation of young people in elections and public decision-making.[2]
Ahead of the 2024 United Kingdom general election, My Life My Say coordinated the Give an X voter-registration campaign. The campaign used partnerships with brands, cultural figures and online creators to encourage young adults to register to vote.[3]
Campaign and awards sources reported that Give an X generated 488,846 voter registrations or referrals to the voter-registration website during its six-week campaign.[8][3]
Coban served as chief executive of My Life My Say before stepping down following his appointment as Deputy Mayor of London in 2024.[9]
Hackney Council
[edit]Coban was elected as a Labour councillor for Stoke Newington ward in the 2014 Hackney Council election. He was 21 when first elected.[5]
He later served as Hackney Council's Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport. During his tenure, Hackney delivered a £61 million Green New Deal covering environmental and climate programmes.[10][5]
Coban was also involved in establishing Hackney's Community Energy Fund, which supported community organisations to develop renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects.[11] C40 states that the programme supported 39 not-for-profit organisations with community energy projects.[10]
During Coban's period on the council, Hackney also expanded low-traffic neighbourhoods, introduced traffic-reduction measures outside schools and planted thousands of trees.[6]
Coban resigned from Hackney Council in July 2024 following his appointment as Deputy Mayor of London.[4]
Deputy Mayor of London
[edit]In July 2024, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan appointed Coban as Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, succeeding Shirley Rodrigues. His appointment took effect on 25 July 2024.[1] His portfolio includes climate action, clean energy, air quality, nature recovery and climate resilience.[5]
A central theme of Coban's approach in the role has been linking environmental policy with social justice. In an interview with The Guardian in January 2025, he argued that London's transition to a greener economy should improve the lives of ordinary and working-class Londoners, particularly communities affected by poor housing, air pollution and limited access to green space.[6]
Coban has described the green transition as an issue of social, economic and racial justice, arguing that environmental policy should address inequalities alongside climate change.[6]
Energy efficiency and fuel poverty
[edit]Energy efficiency and household energy costs have formed part of Coban's portfolio. In January 2025, The Guardian reported on City Hall programmes to retrofit homes and support schools to install measures including insulation, heat pumps and solar panels.[6]
In July 2026, City Hall announced £58.7 million of funding to improve the energy efficiency and living conditions of up to 5,000 social homes across London.[12]
Rivers and access to swimming
[edit]Coban has been involved in the Mayor's programme to improve London's rivers and expand access to swimming and blue spaces. In February 2025, The Standard reported Coban's argument that the programme concerned not only water quality but inequalities in access to swimming and London's waterways.[13]
In July 2026, Khan launched London's first ten-year Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan, developed with more than 50 organisations. The plan includes measures intended to reduce pollution, restore habitats and improve public access to London's waterways, including opportunities for swimming where conditions are safe.[14][15]
Nature and green space
[edit]Coban's portfolio has also included access to green space and urban nature. In 2025, City Hall launched the £12 million Green Roots Fund to support community-led improvements to parks, gardens, wetlands, rivers and other green and blue spaces.[16]
Further funding announced in 2026 included support for tree planting in neighbourhoods identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change, including plans for up to 5,000 additional trees.[17]
Air travel
[edit]Coban's previous use of air travel attracted criticism following his appointment to the environment portfolio. The Standard reported in September 2024 that he had travelled approximately 40,000 air miles during the preceding two years. Coban said that the majority of the travel related to his work as chief executive of My Life My Say, including international advocacy for young people, and committed to avoiding unnecessary flights as Deputy Mayor.[18]
Other appointments
[edit]Coban was appointed chair of the board of ReLondon in 2024.[19]
In March 2025, he was appointed to the board of C40 Cities.[20]
Coban was selected for the Obama Foundation Leaders Europe programme for 2024–2025.[21]
Honours
[edit]- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to young people[2]
- Honorary doctorate, University of Greenwich, 2026[7]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "FOI - Deputy Mayor for the Environment". London City Hall. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Mete Coban MBE". UK Honours System. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Give an X". Purpose Awards. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Labour's Mete Coban quits Hackney Council ahead of move to City Hall". Hackney Citizen. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Mete Coban MBE". London City Hall. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Taylor, Matthew (29 January 2025). "Green transition should benefit ordinary Londoners, says deputy mayor". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Mete Coban MBE". University of Greenwich. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Give an X". Third Sector Awards. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Statement". My Life My Say. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Mete Coban". C40 Cities. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Hackney Community Energy Fund Launch Round 2". Community Energy London. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor helps Londoners with bills with £58m fund boosting energy efficiency and living conditions across the capital". London City Hall. 22 July 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ Vickers, Noah (8 February 2025). "Sadiq Khan's 'swimmable rivers' plan will deliver 'racial justice', says deputy mayor". The Standard. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ Burford, Rachael (29 July 2026). "Revealed: London's 10 new wild swimming and revitalised beauty spots". The Standard. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor launches first ever Clean Rivers and Waterways plan to transform London's blue spaces over next decade". London City Hall. 29 July 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor launches new £12m Green Roots Fund to boost capital's green and blue spaces". London City Hall. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor invests £4.6 million to boost London's green and blue spaces and build more climate resilient city". London City Hall. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ Lydall, Ross (24 September 2024). "Sadiq Khan's deputy mayor for environment pledges to curb plane trips after clocking up 40,000 air miles". The Standard. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "ReLondon Board". ReLondon. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Deputy Mayor of London Mete Coban MBE appointed to C40 Board". C40 Cities. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mete Coban". Obama Foundation. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official profile at London City Hall
Category:Living people Category:21st-century British politicians Category:Alumni of the University of Greenwich Category:Councillors in the London Borough of Hackney Category:Labour Party (UK) councillors Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire Category:Deputy Mayors of London
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