London's recovery starts with you

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618 Londoners have responded | 07/08/2020 - 01/10/2020

London's recovery starts with you

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A Green New Deal

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The UK low carbon and environmental goods and services sector (green economy) is worth £40 billion in sales and employs nearly 250,000 people. It is worth more to the London economy than the construction and manufacturing sectors combined. Putting the environment at the centre of London’s recovery offers an opportunity to reverse the looming economic downturn by bringing new investment to London, helping businesses to see long-term growth, and providing decent, skilled, local jobs. Protecting and investing in the environment will also improve the health of all Londoners. Read more about the context for this mission.
 
Mission: “Increase the size of London’s green economy by 2030 to accelerate job creation and to drive a fair and inclusive recovery from COVID-19 that tackles the climate emergency, eradicates air pollution and builds long-term, community-led resilience.”
 
We’ll need to work together so that:

  • Short term - there's a rapid increase in Londoners acquiring the skills needed to access green jobs as well as increase investment in the sector
  • Medium term - making transport, buildings, public realm and lifestyles more environmentally friendly
  • Long term - we become a zero pollution city by 2030 and zero waste city by 2050

 
Areas of focus might include:

  • Scaling up energy and adaptation programmes to retrofit buildings and accelerate community and renewable energy projects
  • Developing safe, connected cycling and walking routes, and support a shift away from cars to public transport
  • Funding communities to increase green spaces and support low carbon and circular economy businesses

 
What do you think of this mission? Is there anything critical to London’s recovery missing from this mission? What does this mean for you personally and your community? What actions or interventions would have the most impact? How will we know that we’ve succeeded?  Who has a role to play to meet this challenge?   

The discussion ran from 07 August 2020 - 01 October 2020

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Comments (332)

Avatar for - Saola

I have been encouraged from the time a year ago I looked at moving to London to see the pollution levels continue to drop and to see that more measures are working towards this.  The younger generation seems to want these jobs and this...

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I have been encouraged from the time a year ago I looked at moving to London to see the pollution levels continue to drop and to see that more measures are working towards this.  The younger generation seems to want these jobs and this change and the time seems perfect to continue to the transition and for London to be a leader in this change.

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Avatar for - Sumatran elephant

This must be a key priority for all in London, creating opportunities for all households to contribute to playing a part in a greener way of being - from cycling initiatives to green power and less fossil fuels, to growing more, throwing...

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This must be a key priority for all in London, creating opportunities for all households to contribute to playing a part in a greener way of being - from cycling initiatives to green power and less fossil fuels, to growing more, throwing away more, etc. 

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Avatar for -

This is an important initiative. We must grasp this opportunity to sharply reduce the number of polluting petrol and diesel vehicles on our roads. We need to build a comprehensive and  safe cycle infrastructure all around London, so that...

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This is an important initiative. We must grasp this opportunity to sharply reduce the number of polluting petrol and diesel vehicles on our roads. We need to build a comprehensive and  safe cycle infrastructure all around London, so that people are no longer afraid to ride their bicycles across town. This would have a tremendous impact both on the environment, on air pollution, and on general well-being.  

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Use roof space for growing food and/or solar/wind power. It comes with so many other benefits.

Benefits of Roof Garden:

The key benefits of a rooftop garden are listed below:

It converts CO2 emissions

It produces oxygen

It reduces the...

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Use roof space for growing food and/or solar/wind power. It comes with so many other benefits.

Benefits of Roof Garden:

The key benefits of a rooftop garden are listed below:

It converts CO2 emissions

It produces oxygen

It reduces the heat of buildings and energy costs

It creates a habitat for wildlife

It reduces ambient temperature

It captures and harvests rainwater

It reduces storm water runoff and discharge

It creates large catchment areas.

https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=341

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Educate the public on the necessity for and benefits of switching to plant-based eating (environment and climate change focus) and ensure that everyone has convenient access to healthy plant-based foods. This could be the most impactful...

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Educate the public on the necessity for and benefits of switching to plant-based eating (environment and climate change focus) and ensure that everyone has convenient access to healthy plant-based foods. This could be the most impactful change we can all make.

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Avatar for -

I would like to see connected mini grids around London, run by solar, wind and other forms of renewables. Air pollution is too high in London and the lungs are weakened enough to make the coronavirus very comfortable in them. 2. Cut down in...

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I would like to see connected mini grids around London, run by solar, wind and other forms of renewables. Air pollution is too high in London and the lungs are weakened enough to make the coronavirus very comfortable in them. 2. Cut down in traffic, or subsidise electric cars. 3. For people like me that I don't cycle and love green spaces and walk a lot it would be nice to have pedestrian corridors through London so to avoid noise and traffic. I envisage them all connected with benches all along and embellished them with greenery. 4 more green public transport and less cars. Let's have community organic produce locally produced for all not only the well off. Malnourished people are also easy targets for coronavirus. 5. To start with let's have some of the trafficked area in London closed to traffic one a month in turn. And let's make this abitual.

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Avatar for -

If you are going green  try growing the correct plants and trees.
there are air scrubbing trees that can reduce emissions by over 75% 
and what do we do Cut down the trees remove green areas and plant the wrong trees.
Only London can get it...

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If you are going green  try growing the correct plants and trees.
there are air scrubbing trees that can reduce emissions by over 75% 
and what do we do Cut down the trees remove green areas and plant the wrong trees.
Only London can get it so wrong.
Look at the test done on 2 roads in Pakistan it was amazing from smog to almost 0 polution
 all done with trees  or the research by NASA  on plants to use to add oxygen to an area 
before you start chucking the baby out with the bath water look ate the research allready done on polution controle

 

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

We need less petrol and diesel vehicles in London. Increase incentives for electric vehicels, pedestrianised areas. Increase more green space and plants.  Reducing the airpollution.

Get people outside more and enjoying parks responsibly...

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We need less petrol and diesel vehicles in London. Increase incentives for electric vehicels, pedestrianised areas. Increase more green space and plants.  Reducing the airpollution.

Get people outside more and enjoying parks responsibly. Engaging people with local outdoor activities, not super competitive sports, but nature trails art classes, theatre productions/readings. Or inclusive excersise classes to get people moving again after lockdown.

Don't forget about the pollution that enters the rivers.  Invest in Seabins to at known catch-points and nets over overflow drains (that will need to be monitored and emptied) to catch any debris before it ends up in the rivers. More education about not dropping litter is needed in schools.

More education about single use plastics and the dissposal of the them. Too many people seem to think it's ok to litter.

Better recycling facilitites, or waste-to-energy facilities are needed.

Fixed penalties for offices that have higher energy useage to encourage them to turn lights off.  Energy saving and improvements in sustainable water management is required.

Working from home is the new normal and most people don't want to have to commute on packed trains every day to go into an office in teh city and can't afford to buy lunch in London priced places. Make London a great place to visit and keep the numbers down on the trains, or put more trains on. Give people the outside spaces to meet/work, which would be possible if no traffic and noise polluition.

 

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Avatar for -

I agree with all the usual solutions: encouraging walking and cycling; more charging points to encourage electric vehicle use; reducing plastic waste.

I also think the use of SUVs should be discouraged, as they are high contributors to air...

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I agree with all the usual solutions: encouraging walking and cycling; more charging points to encourage electric vehicle use; reducing plastic waste.

I also think the use of SUVs should be discouraged, as they are high contributors to air pollution. 

Online shopping has increased since lockdown, and seems set to continue at a high level. What about encouraging, or even making mandatory, the use of 'green' delivery slots, (which are currently an option with one of the supermarket chains) - ie, when you book a green slot you know the van will already be in your area - so reducing traffic, and air pollution from vehicles. 

 

 

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Avatar for -

We need more charging points made available for people to be confident to purchase an electric car or Hybrid car, especially those living in apartment buildings that don't have off street parking.

Converting lamposts to have EV charging...

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We need more charging points made available for people to be confident to purchase an electric car or Hybrid car, especially those living in apartment buildings that don't have off street parking.

Converting lamposts to have EV charging will be helpful for Controlled Parking Zones.

This will also help van drivers that have their vehicles parked outside their home in the evening.

 

 

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

EMPTY WORDS!!

A "green" deal should stop any development immediately; then, assess the city, only then, approve developments that commit to water features, shrubbery and prohibition of Diesel lorries.  All other, 'non-compliant'...

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EMPTY WORDS!!

A "green" deal should stop any development immediately; then, assess the city, only then, approve developments that commit to water features, shrubbery and prohibition of Diesel lorries.  All other, 'non-compliant' developments should undergo further scrutiny.

Put an immediate end to IVF and the 'gig economy' and this unnecessarily drives up pollution and over-population.

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Avatar for - Polar bear

Move away from recycling to not producing the plastic waste in the first place.

 

Recycling is not the answer - reducing consumption of waste is.

 

eg bottled water - what a waste

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Move away from recycling to not producing the plastic waste in the first place.

 

Recycling is not the answer - reducing consumption of waste is.

 

eg bottled water - what a waste

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Avatar for - Polar bear

The cycling infrastaructure is near non existent thanks to Johnson. Cycleways must be separate from road traffic for safety. Bring ine the Dutch, danish French Germans etcs if it cant be designed here. Secondly secure parking for bikes...

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The cycling infrastaructure is near non existent thanks to Johnson. Cycleways must be separate from road traffic for safety. Bring ine the Dutch, danish French Germans etcs if it cant be designed here. Secondly secure parking for bikes. Subsidies for bikes, including electric bikes.

 

It is clear that the bike offers an alternative to publi9c transport, electric bikes can easily traverse London and give some exercise, without leaving the user wrecked. aftey 

It is clear that electric modes of transport perefrably with some human effort are the best alternative - electric cars that do 0 - 60 in 3 seconds are wasteful.

It is a necessity now for Londons to have a viable bike option, without the safety risk. So design implement infrastructure, cycleways, parking, and refresher stops for cycles, where cyclists can stop have a drink and some food. Its a no brainer. JFDI. Johnson did a rubbish job, 

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Avatar for - American pika

Should develop policies to accelerate the implementation of the electric vehicles by adding and increasing the subsidies.

Already existing subsidy for the purchase of electric car should be extended and the amount should be increased.

The...

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Should develop policies to accelerate the implementation of the electric vehicles by adding and increasing the subsidies.

Already existing subsidy for the purchase of electric car should be extended and the amount should be increased.

The purchase of electric mopeds and cycles should be subsidised.

driving of e-schooters should be made legal.

Policies should developed to support a green products ecosystem.

Training and certification programmes should be developed to be part of the green ecosystem

Carbon footprint should be standard part of every product, both food and non food.

farming technologies which has low carbon footprint and low consumption of water without comprimising on quality should be supported.

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Avatar for - Saola

this is so important especially promoting new work in this area to provide hope for people facing unemployment

crisis into opportunities and positive contributions to more sustainable healtier ecosystem with us in it - London can and...

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this is so important especially promoting new work in this area to provide hope for people facing unemployment

crisis into opportunities and positive contributions to more sustainable healtier ecosystem with us in it - London can and should lead the way!

please be radical on this

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Avatar for - Orangutan

Recycling and Homeless People.

In some countries like Germany, Sweden, and probably a few more. In most supermarkets they have the concept of recycling stations. You insert your recyclable material and out pops a voucher with a small sum...

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Recycling and Homeless People.

In some countries like Germany, Sweden, and probably a few more. In most supermarkets they have the concept of recycling stations. You insert your recyclable material and out pops a voucher with a small sum that can be used towards your next shop. This incentive seems to work really well in both previously mentioned countries.

A slightly less unintended yet welcome benefit would be for homeless people. If they chose to, they could help remove recyclable waste/litter from our streets with the opportunity of earning said previous vouchers for a food shop.

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I think you'll find this might be a helpful solution for young people from poorer families that could collect up recycle rubbish to help with the shopping bill. 

 

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I think you'll find this might be a helpful solution for young people from poorer families that could collect up recycle rubbish to help with the shopping bill. 

 

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Avatar for - Orangutan

London schools to lead the way nationally with grants for solar panels and living walls or tree planting. 
Each boroughs education department to have a dedicated role for implementing environmental awareness in schools. Lots of schools...

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London schools to lead the way nationally with grants for solar panels and living walls or tree planting. 
Each boroughs education department to have a dedicated role for implementing environmental awareness in schools. Lots of schools still don't recycle. 
An awards system for London schools to aspire to for being Climate/Environmentally conscious. 
Our current students are totally unprepared for the world they may inherit and this preparation is being left to individual teachers and parents who may/may not have an interest in the environment or climate crisis. The approach needs to be standardised with proper guidance and resources for schools and teachers. 

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Avatar for - Vaquita

Let's do as Lucerne, Switzerland, did during a music festival we attended: Charge a £1 deposit for a compostable takeaway cup, cutlery, or plate, etc., redeemable when you return the cup or whatever to any operation that does takeaway (not...

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Let's do as Lucerne, Switzerland, did during a music festival we attended: Charge a £1 deposit for a compostable takeaway cup, cutlery, or plate, etc., redeemable when you return the cup or whatever to any operation that does takeaway (not just the one you got it from). 

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Avatar for -

that would be great!

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that would be great!

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Avatar for -

 

THIS TO WANDSWORTH COUNCIL & MPS DISGRACED TAYLOR WIMPEY BUILDERS .. 

WHO IGNORE US RE THEIR NEW PLANS TO CONCRETE OVER OUR MUCH LOVED LARGE GREEN OF YORK GARDENS SW11 

DESTROYING OVER 50 MATURE TREES  ASAP ... 

 

You know full well...

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THIS TO WANDSWORTH COUNCIL & MPS DISGRACED TAYLOR WIMPEY BUILDERS .. 

WHO IGNORE US RE THEIR NEW PLANS TO CONCRETE OVER OUR MUCH LOVED LARGE GREEN OF YORK GARDENS SW11 

DESTROYING OVER 50 MATURE TREES  ASAP ... 

 

You know full well that the vast majority of locals don't want you to destroy our much loved York Gardens 

as is .. 

https://www.change.org/p/save-york-gardens

 

& you mislead by saying the regeneration will ''be built around a new park'' 

as , in your plans , the park will have been destroyed in Phase 1.

The new park might not fully happen .. and even if it is completed .. it might not be for 12 years. 

That would kill my 3 year old daughter. 

Ths is not true : 

''This is necessary to build new accommodation and facilitate the rehousing of residents from other areas of the site''

 

You know perfectly well that ZERO / NO POOR LOCALS are moving into the 32 story tower block for Multi Millionaires 

which is the main reason for destroying present York Gardens.You also know perfectly well that if this 32 story monstrosity was built on the very large brown site 

of Pennethorne etc you will all still make plenty of money.  It is pure greed at the expensive of local childrens' 

lives.

 

The contrived waffle & IGNORING MOST emails is a slap in the face for my daughter Olivia's life. 

 

YOUNG ROYALS CHARITY - FIELDS IN TRUST - WORKED OUT THAT OUR CHILDREN WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES ALREADY 

WILL MOST LIKELY DIE FROM 12 YEARS REDEVELOPMENT WITH NO LARGE GREEN OF YORK GARDENS & NO MASS OF MATURE TREES TO CLEAN THE AIR. 

SO IF WE DON'T STOP THEM .. OLIVIA WILL HAVE AN ASTHMA ATTACK TOO MANY & DIE.

RK

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Avatar for - Rhino

I am noticing how people are still paving over front and back potential green outdoor and wildlife/tree./shrub spaces for outdoor 'rooms', car parking and because of easy maintenance, especially for landlords renting out properties in...

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I am noticing how people are still paving over front and back potential green outdoor and wildlife/tree./shrub spaces for outdoor 'rooms', car parking and because of easy maintenance, especially for landlords renting out properties in London.

I suggest either an annual additional council 'tax' on properties with  concrete/plastic grass/slabs/decking etc., with reduction for those with active use of outdoor space for wildlife, urban ponds and 'bog areas', climate and air quality friendly plantings and things like home composting and water butts, potential flood drainage friendly areas and trees/shrubs etc.

How this would be 'policed' is however an issue. Maybe this could be a local volunteer-based activity, where local people sign up for training groups to help advise and support people trying to convert their spaces and also, in a supportive annual check-up, monitor  the spaces each year, perhaps doing some different kind of local wildlife 'count' each year. This is to to make sure that they are still there and offer advice. Perhaps  this could be  done alongside youth programmes or with schools/colleges/garden centres etc.

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