Climate change adaptation
London’s climate is changing. Current modelling predicts, for example: a dramatic reduction in summer rainfall; an increasing incidence of heavy winter rainfall, and; an increase in the number of very hot summer days.
The natural environment in urban areas is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Climate change impacts are amplified in urban areas: urban centres are hotter; stormwater run-off is more intense; winter frosts are rarer; habitats and green spaces are more fragmented and the recreational pressure upon them more concentrated. Consequently, climate change presents some serious challenges for London’s natural environment.
The need to address climate change also presents opportunities. The greening of the urban environment can provide a means by which habitats and natural features can be created or better managed. About one third of London’s area (excluding private gardens) is green or open space – if designed and managed appropriately this resource can play a significant role in adapting London to the impacts of climate change by, for example, managing flood risk
and reducing the urban heat island effect.
Current Projects and Initiatives
| London Climate Change Partnership | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | The London Climate Change Partnership (LCCP) was created to help London better understand and prepare for the impacts of climate change. The Partnership comprises over 30 organisations that have a role to play in helping London to adapt including Government, climate science, developers, finance, health, environment and communication sectors. Natural England represents the natural environment sector on the partnership steering group and manages the partnership work programme around urban greening. |
| Latest update/progress | We are currently in negotiation to set up a Natural Resilience Working Group of LCCP. This group would include those who plan and manage London’s natural environment; it will inform and deliver the LCCP work programme on urban greening, and use the London Landscape-scale adaptation strategy to develop a delivery plan for natural resilience. |
| Supporting documents from NE | Creating natural resilience |
| Further information/web links | London Climate Change Partnership |
| London Landscape Adaptation Strategy | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | Natural England’s adaptation activities in London are focused on working with partners to influence spatial planning and the design and management of land to ensure that adaptation is sustainable and recognises the importance of healthy and resilient ecosystems. We also aim to support the delivering conservation on the ground that will help ensure the natural environment is resilient in the face of climate change. To achieve this we are preparing a London Landscape-scale Adaptation Strategy to look at the likely impacts of climate change on London’s natural environment, and responses required to conserve it. This is part of a wider Natural England Character Area Climate Change Project. |
| Latest update/progress | The technical research report is due to be published in May 2011, along with adaptation strategies prepared for other National Character Areas |
| Supporting documents from NE | Natural England Character Area Climate Change Project |
| Further information/web-links | |
| London Rivers Action Plan | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | The London Rivers Action Plan has been developed to provide a framework to take forward the river restoration opportunities in London that will benefit people, businesses and wildlife by putting river corridors at the heart of regeneration and renewal through the enhancement of riverside parks, green spaces and the built environment. This can be done by improving river channel or riparian habitats, by removing or modifying flood defence structures where safe to do so, or by reclaiming 'lost' rivers currently buried under the Capital's surface. Nearly 100 projects have been identified with numerous large scale projects on the Lee, Wandle, Ravensbourne, Crane and Roding catchments. |
| Latest update/progress | The London Rivers Action Plan won the RTPI Planning Awards, Climate Change Award 2009
The River Thames won the Theiss International River Prize, 2011 |
| Supporting documents from NE | London Rivers Action Plan |
| Further information/web-links | |
| Mayesbrook Climate Change Park | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | Mayesbrook Park is a typical urban public park in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, and is undergoing a programme of transformation to turn it into the UK’s first urban climate change park. The project is coordinated by London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and steered by a partnership including Natural England, Environment Agency, Thames River Restoration Trust, Greater London Authority and the London Wildlife Trust. The phased improvements include restoration of the Mayes Brook, which currently runs alongside the park in a confined channel; creation of floodplain habitats, grassland restoration and tree and woodland planting. The park was one of the winners in the Mayor’s ‘Help a London Park Scheme’, securing £400k towards the transformation. Other sponsors of Phase 1 river restoration work include Royal Sun Alliance through the Thames Rivers Restoration Trust, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Parks and Green Spaces capital funding, the London Trees and Woodlands Grant Scheme and the Environment Agency. £120,000 funding was recently awarded by the SITA Trust, which will pay towards habitat restoration work. The funding is the last piece of the jigsaw which will allow Phase 1 to commence. |
| Latest update/progress | Phase 1 work is due to start on site on the 16th March 2011, this will include restoration of the river, creation of floodplain and reed bed habitat and some landscaping. The London Climate Change Partnership, the London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) and Natural England are working with the Mayesbrook Park steering group on a project to look at how the park can help local people adapt to climate change in their own communities and homes. |
| Supporting documents from NE | Press release: Park for the Future |
| Further information/web-links | Help a London Park Scheme |
| The Urban Forest | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | Trees bring a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits to urban environments. They have a key role to play in adaptation to climate change by shading, cooling and filtering air pollution. Natural England works with a wide number of organisations, partnerships and projects to increase awareness of the benefits and true value of trees in towns and cities, to provide guidance to urban planners, designers and developers and to support tree planting and tree stewardship in London’s residential and business communities. |
| Latest update/progress | Natural England is a partner in “Trees People and the Built Environment”, a research conference on urban trees, sponsored by the Institute of Chartered Foresters, to be held in Birmingham, 13-14th April 2011.
The Greater London Authority recently launched RE:LEAF London a partnership campaign spearheaded by the Mayor of London to protect the capital's trees and encourage individual Londoners, businesses and organisations to plant more trees in the capital. Natural England is a RE:LEAF London partner.
The Trees and Design Action Group will launch, in February 2011, the RIBA Knowledge Community on Urban Trees and “The Canopy” guidance for urban designers, developers and planners.
The Big Tree Plant is a campaign to encourage people and communities to plant more trees in England's towns, cities and neighbourhoods. It is a partnership bringing together national tree-planting organisations and local groups working with Defra and the Forestry Commission to plant trees throughout England. |
| Supporting documents from NE | |
| Further information/web-links | Trees and Design Action Group Forestry Commission - London Right Trees for a Changing Climate |
