London needs a Green Space Commissioner, says report

City Hall should appoint a dedicated commissioner to protect London’s green spaces, says Leonie Cooper, Labour’s London Assembly Environment spokesperson. 

The Building Diversity and Supporting Nature report calls on the Mayor of London to: 

• Introduce a place-based measurement system to address the areas of the capital where there is a deficiency of access to green space.
• Launch a garden sharing and food growing pilot scheme

Ms Cooper warns of the capital’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, highlighting the series of flash floods that caused significant disruption to hospitals, businesses and the transport network this summer. 

The report says that part of the solution to these issues lies in investing in biodiversity-boosting and carbon-capturing green roofs, walls and urban forests and parks of all sizes, which can both reduce surface water run-off and provide a much-needed cooling effect.

The Mayor’s London Plan has already identified the deficiency of green space as a key issue. 

Based on this, Ms Cooper is calling for the Mayor to appoint a Green Space Commissioner to take charge of coordinating the protection and creation of this key green infrastructure.

Leonie Cooper AM, said: ‘Our city’s green spaces are key to improving air quality, increasing carbon capture, preventing flooding and boosting the mental and physical health of Londoners.

‘The Mayor has put vital work and investment into protecting and creating green space and infrastructure. My report looks to build on the Mayor’s work so we can tackle unequal access to green space and make our capital more resilient in the face of climate change.

‘On the back of COP26, appointing a Green Space Commissioner at City Hall would be another big step towards taking the sustained action needed to protect and grow London’s lungs.

‘Cities like London are hotbeds for solutions to the climate emergency, and should be empowered and properly invested in by the Government.’