Press release about
the second annual update of the London State
of the Environment report.
Londoners are doing
more than ever before to address the effects
of climate change, according to the Environment
Agency’s latest State of the Environment
report for the capital.
Household recycling
has increased since last year’s report from
25% to 29%, and the average amount of water
used per person has fallen, as residents
of the capital start to make real progress
into helping preserve and protect the environment,
the report shows.
The report, which is
updated annually, is designed to help inform
policy makers, developers and the public,
promote sustainable development, and protect
and improve the environment in London.
• 85% of the properties
at risk of flooding in London have a low
likelihood of flooding from rivers and the
sea due to defences such as the Thames Barrier.
• Household recycling and composting has
increased by 4% and the amount of municipal
waste sent to landfill continues to decline.
• The five-year average water use per person
in London has declined slightly. Since last
year, leakage has declined and water metering
has increased, but more needs to be done.
Clive Coley, Environment
Agency Regional Strategy Manager said “This
year’s update to the State of the Environment
report shows that Londoners’ efforts are
making a difference to the state of the
city’s environment.
“Although London’s carbon
footprint is lower than the UK footprint,
climate change is a challenge we cannot
afford to ignore as six out of the top 20
hottest years on record occurred since 2000.
This report shows that people need to continue
to make strides to help manage and protect
the capital’s vital resources.
“Forward planning and
collective action will ensure the demands
these place on London’s resources are managed
in a way that allows future generations
to benefit long into the future.”
Boris Johnson, Mayor
of London said: “To improve our quality
of life, care for our planet and save money
we can all take steps to save energy and
adapt our homes and workplaces. I am cheered
to see from the Environment Agency’s report
that we are already making headway in doing
this. Keep up the good work, London!”
Today marks the launch
of the State of the Environment report for
both London, and the South East of England.
For more on these and other State of the
Environment facts and figures, visit
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/londonsoe
or http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/34103.aspx
The report comes just
days after the Mayor of London launched
the Climate Adaptation consultation for
the capital, which encourages Londoners
to give their views on how we can face up
to the real threat of climate change. To
submit your views on climate change go to
www.london.gov.uk/climatechange
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All media enquiries:
0118 953 5555
Please ask for the duty press officer
Environment Agency news releases, both national
and regional, can be found on its web site:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
The report is broken
down into nine key themes as follows:
Flood risk
• The Thames Barrier has been raised 114
times to protect London from tidal and fluvial
flooding since it became operational. Closures
are becoming more frequent with two thirds
occurring since 2000. Climate change may
increase the risk of flooding, and require
the barrier to be closed more often in the
future.
• Approximately half a million properties
are in the floodplain in London.
• Climate change may increase the risk of
flooding, and require the Thames Barrier
to be closed more often in the future.
Climate change
• Greenhouse gas emissions in London are
declining and the carbon footprint is lower
than the UK average. London’s lower than
average carbon footprint is primarily due
to reduced emissions from transport as a
result of high public transport use in the
city. Emissions from the industrial and
commercial sector need to be reduced – these
make up almost half of the capital’s CO2
emissions.
• We need to adapt to climate changes that
are now unavoidable and work to limit any
further impacts.
Water quality
• The majority of London’s river water bodies
require improvements to meet the objectives
of the Water Framework Directive.
• 80% of river water bodies in London are
heavily modified (man-made channels, underground
culverts etc – not in the natural state).
The quality of these is impacted by urban
diffuse pollution, and low biodiversity.
Restoration work through the London Rivers
Action Plan to return some of these rivers
to their natural state will help improve
biodiversity through improved fish passage
and habitats.
Water resources
• The 5-year average water use per person
has declined slightly in London from 163
to 161 litres per person per day.
• There has been progress in reducing leakage
in London – which is within target levels
– and increasing metered households.
Waste
• Municipal waste (predominantly household
waste) production in London has declined,
along with the amount sent to landfill.
This is complemented by an increase in recycling.
• Landfill capacity in London, and other
regions receiving London’s waste, is declining.
Land
• 95% of new homes in London were built
on previously developed land, and none on
greenbelt. Development must be sustainable
and in the right location. The area of previously
developed land in London is declining as
more is reclaimed for development, but the
use of this land protects greenbelt, and
in some cases means contaminated land is
cleaned up for use.
• Land needs to be found within the boundaries
to accommodate the required housing for
the growing population, without forfeiting
greenbelt, open space, wildlife habitat
or quality of life.
Sustainability
• The average Londoner has an ecological
footprint of 4.54 global hectares. Together
this covers an area the size of 34 million
global hectares – over 200 times the city’s
actual area. The demand on resources significantly
exceeds the global bio-capacity (area available
to provide resources). This is not sustainable
and we will need to use resources more efficiently.
• Population growth and additional housing
required (33,400 on average per year in
the London Plan) will put further pressure
on land, resources, infrastructure and the
environment.
Air quality
• The overall air quality in London is improving.
However concentrations of nitrogen dioxide
and particulate matter have exceeded national
objectives in 2009. These mainly come from
transport in the city.
Wildlife
• London’s green space and biodiversity
is improving through urban regeneration.
Habitats are being restored and rivers returned
to a more natural state. Projects completed
in 2009 restored 1.5km of river habitat
in London – progress towards the target
of 15km by 2015. Alongside benefits to biodiversity,
this also benefits society by providing
quality green space that can be enjoyed.
