More people, more pollution – new environmental strategy needed

• London’s population is increasing by 100,000 every year, and could reach 13.4 million by 2050.
• This is the equivalent of adding two cities the size of Manchester^[2].
• Without good planning, London could suffer unreliable energy supplies and excessive carbon emissions; a shortage of drinkable water; contaminated flooding caused by sewage overflow; and habitat destruction resulting in fewer green spaces for Londoners.

The London Assembly Environment Committee launches its report, ‘Growing, growing, gone: Long-term sustainable growth for London’ today which identifies the key challenges to accommodate London’s growth and makes recommendations as to how those pressures can best be managed.

The report found:

• London’s demand for water could outstrip its supply by 20 per cent by 2040 – without action, Thames Water projects a shortfall of 41 million litres per day, which could be around half a bath full per person^[3].
• London’s need for more housing will put its green spaces and waterways under severe pressure.
• London is missing the carbon reduction schedule set by the current Mayor. According to Mayoral projections, overall demand for energy in London is also expected to grow by 20 per cent by the mid-century.
• Economic opportunities from a circular economy – London currently recycles 33 per cent of its waste^[4]. A circular economy involving greater waste reduction; re-use and shared use; repair and remanufacture; would provide a major economic opportunity for London, offering billions of pounds worth of business and tens of thousands of jobs.

The report makes a number of recommendations, including:

• Put long-term sustainability at the heart of all Mayoral strategies.
• Integrate water strategy across the areas of supply, demand, drainage and flood risk.
• Work towards standardised domestic waste collections across London.
• Protect London’s green spaces and waterways and ensure London gets more environmental benefit out of its green and blue infrastructure through multifunctional usage, for example enhancing drainage and biodiversity.

Environment Committee Chair, Darren Johnson AM, said;

“London is already home to over 8.6 million people. With the equivalent of two cities the size of Manchester due to be added by 2050^[2], we cannot forget that these extra people will require space for housing, workplaces and recreation as well as generating higher demand for energy and water. In addition to global impacts such as carbon emissions, there will be local pressures like the loss of green space and wildlife habitats and an increase in waste generation. Poorly-planned growth would greatly worsen these issues and reduce Londoners’ quality of life.

In May, London will welcome a new Mayor. The current strategies used to manage London’s environment are coming up to five or more years old and need updating as a priority. This is an opportunity for the incoming Mayor to give London the chance to shine as a global success story for sustainable growth.”