Forum topic: The next mayor should create a 'more natural capital'

Ahead of the mayoral election on 6th May, a coalition of leading environmental groups have published a joint manifesto outlining ambitious programmes of action needed to reduce pollution and waste, improve health and wellbeing, secure nature’s recovery and increase resilience to climate change. There will be an opportunity to discuss these proposals with the candidates at the Mayoral Environment Debate, which will take place online on 12th April.

The manifesto calls for London to play a leading role in tackling climate and nature emergencies. It cites major challenges currently facing the capital’s estimated nine million residents, such as poor air and water quality; barriers to walking and cycling; loss of green spaces; noise pollution and poor access to affordable fresh food.

With growing public support for the environment making it an increasingly important issue for voters, this new manifesto – A More Natural Capital: An agenda for the new Mayor of London – sets 24 targets for the next mayor, including:

• Establishing a London-wide ‘green living’ social prescribing programme to connect people with local green and blue spaces.
• The formation of a London Climate Emergency Alliance to help achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030 or sooner.
• The creation of 100 new low traffic neighbourhoods and the creation of at least six new, high quality green walking routes linking London’s green spaces
• Developing a ‘nature recovery network’ to restore and enhance species and wildlife habits.

The organisations who have created the joint manifesto are: Butterfly Conservation, CPRE London, Greenpeace, London Food Link, London Living Streets, London National Park City, the London Parks & Gardens Trust, the London Wildlife Trust, the Orchard Project, the Ramblers, RSPB, Sustain, TCV (The Conservation Volunteers), Trees For Cities, Wildlife and Countryside Link and the Woodland Trust.

"Enable future generations to inherit a healthier, greener, fairer and more liveable capital city"

Neil Sinden, director of CPRE London, says the agenda will improve the lives of all Londoners and acknowledges progress made by previous mayors:

“London’s environment has seen important improvements since its first directly elected mayor took office 20 years ago -- such as the restoration and enhancement of certain ‘flagship’ parks and landscapes; the introduction of the congestion charge; the creation of 3,000 new community food growing spaces; and the introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods to support walkers and cyclists. But there is still much to be done if London is to lead in tackling the climate anrald nature emergencies and improve public health.

"At present, London’s most disadvantaged communities tend to suffer the poorest environmental conditions. We are ready to work with the next mayor to deliver the changes Londoners need now, and which will enable future generations to inherit a healthier, greener, fairer and more liveable capital city.”

"A huge shift from car use to active travel"

David Harrison from London Living Streets calls for a huge shift from car use to active travel, which he says is a key part of the solution to looming environmental and health catastrophes: climate, air pollution, obesity, and social exclusion:

"There are so many short journeys which could be walked or cycled, but we will need to create a city which makes this the easiest option. We call on the mayor to make this happen through a range of measures, including the creation of 100 new low traffic neighbourhoods and funding for the Central London Footways project.”