London's recovery starts with you
Closed
618 Londoners have responded | 07/08/2020 - 01/10/2020

Discussions
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
Closed
Want to join our next discussion?
New here? Join Talk London, City Hall's online community where you can have your say on London's biggest issues.
Join Talk LondonAlready have an account?
Log into your accountBeetrootben
Community Member 4 years agoMy biggest concern is wages. As house prices have risen over 400% since the 90s, rents have increased and people are being forced further out, with longer commutes. Wages over the same period have barely kept up with inflation.
The...
Show full commentMy biggest concern is wages. As house prices have risen over 400% since the 90s, rents have increased and people are being forced further out, with longer commutes. Wages over the same period have barely kept up with inflation.
The recovery should put the environment in the centre, but it must not do so at the expense of those who earn less than a living wage. Also improving wages will allow people to make greener decisions as these are often more expensive (eg buying organic food)
Show less of commentHenryG
Community Member 4 years agoHere's a simple way to create thousands of new jobs in the green economy and reduce London's carbon footprint: pass a law that ALL building work / construction MUST cover the whole roof with solar panels.
Show full commentHere's a simple way to create thousands of new jobs in the green economy and reduce London's carbon footprint: pass a law that ALL building work / construction MUST cover the whole roof with solar panels.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoFood waste collection/composting should become accessible in all London boroughs.
Show full commentPublic transport, walking and biking should be prioritized (new cycle routes and good bus connections) in order to reduce GHG emissions but also limit air...
Food waste collection/composting should become accessible in all London boroughs.
Show less of commentPublic transport, walking and biking should be prioritized (new cycle routes and good bus connections) in order to reduce GHG emissions but also limit air pollution which disproportionally affects lower income communities.
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoMore community gardens give people the chance to interact with green spaces, improving mental wellbeing as well as be a space to learn about more sustainable initiatives and lifestyles. People can grow food, and understand the impact of...
Show full commentMore community gardens give people the chance to interact with green spaces, improving mental wellbeing as well as be a space to learn about more sustainable initiatives and lifestyles. People can grow food, and understand the impact of agriculture on the environment. It can also be space that encourages new jobs in maintaining the facility and holding workshops that could help people build the skills and knowledge for potential business more aimed towards sustainability.
Also, there are still a lot of boroughs that do not have the option for composting. Food waste make up about 40% of household rubbish, and is one of the biggest contributors of landfill methane, and yet the city has only been able to offer food waste collection services to a few postcodes. I would happily pay for my food waste to be taken care of responsibly if that's what it takes, but understandably not everyone will have that option and it would be ideal if it is a service that our city can offer to everyone equally. This should be as accessible as recycling facilities, where even if possible people can drop off their compost in dedicated places.
One last thing is that we should be applying more pressure against unsustainable packaging of products, such as foil plastic wrappers, unnecessarily individually-packaged food in supermarkets. Instead we direct businesses towards reduced or biodegradable packaging, and adding bulk food and water refill stations across the city to prevent further waste. This is the next step after the ban on plastic straws, opting out of plastic cutlery, and adding fees to plastic bags, it may be small but it shows that it makes an incremental difference the more we open ourselves to these lifestyle changes.
Show less of commentrobbiek
Community Member 4 years agoFacts : Deliveroo , Just Eat , Dominos , Uber Eats etc are making fortunes from fattening up our kids.
One is trying to buy another out for billions ! They pollute London too - when they could easily switch to bicycle deliveries.
Their...
Show full commentFacts : Deliveroo , Just Eat , Dominos , Uber Eats etc are making fortunes from fattening up our kids.
One is trying to buy another out for billions ! They pollute London too - when they could easily switch to bicycle deliveries.
Their maniac moped delivery drivers are becoming very unpopular with all locals - as they drive dangerously
& aggressively speeding & constantly breaking our road laws. They cause many accidents & are a daily
threat to our lives. Some even deal & deliver hard drugs too (I've seen it with mine own eyes).
The local Police in Battersea (where York Road SW11 is a road rage making Race Track for them ..)
tell me that they don't have the funds , nor enough expert police chasers , to make any impact
on this 'plague of wasps.'
Then surely The Mayor can bring these two together & fine the enormous profit-making companies
who encourage their drivers to dangerously speed etc .. as that gets more deliveries done.
They pay their maniac drivers per delivery!
The Police often find that their maniacs don't have insurance or any papers (often illegal immigrants too) -
so fine Deliveroo etc each time The Police find this .. ?
A simple maths algorithm for The Police , if they check the records of these uncaring companies ,
would show that in order to carry out that many deliveries .. that driver must have been breaking the speed limit.
The more they're fined the safer our roads will become.
(A side note - the bicycle delivery people are exactly the ones we all would prefer .. and they are much more
green / saving our streets from all that petrol exhaust pollution etc , and they don't continually break the law).
Push this through.
Show less of commentjessicavru
Community Member 4 years agoIn my borough we did a survey of a large number of young people we encountered in the area and found that a large majority of them want to lead more eco-friendly lives, but are not sure of what changes they can make. I think that some...
Show full commentIn my borough we did a survey of a large number of young people we encountered in the area and found that a large majority of them want to lead more eco-friendly lives, but are not sure of what changes they can make. I think that some elements of this should be introduced into the curriculum, or at least taught in workshops at schools to show young people what the green new deal is and how they can get involved. I think if people were more aware of the environmental impacts of their behaviour, they might be more willing to adapt. However, I think there also needs to be a focus on corporations that contribute the most to pollution and waste. Individual changes are good, but they will not have much affect if big businesses continue to operate in the same way. I think we should be encouraging and rewarding businesses that act in more environmentally friendly ways, such as using renewable energy.
Show less of commentGemmar
Community Member 4 years agoAbsolutely. Very much agree with you.
Show full commentAbsolutely. Very much agree with you.
Show less of commentVic
Community Member 4 years agoYou say “Developing safe, connected cycling and walking routes, and support a shift away from cars to public transport”
That has to mean cancelling the Silvertown Tunnel which is incompatible with carbon reduction goals.
It has no...
Show full commentYou say “Developing safe, connected cycling and walking routes, and support a shift away from cars to public transport”
That has to mean cancelling the Silvertown Tunnel which is incompatible with carbon reduction goals.
It has no cycling or cargo bikes access.
It has HGV lanes.
It will bring more pollution into already illegally polluted neighbourhoods.
Georgeeliot
Community Member 4 years agoThere's often criticism of use of speed cameras to control traffic speeds (hence protecting lives and encouraging cycling) because the revenue from the fines goes into local councils' coffers. We need to ensure that money from speeding...
Show full commentThere's often criticism of use of speed cameras to control traffic speeds (hence protecting lives and encouraging cycling) because the revenue from the fines goes into local councils' coffers. We need to ensure that money from speeding fines is earmarked for improving the environment for cyclists by providing more cycle lanes and more safe and frequent crossing points for pedestrians. After all - we are all pedestrians.
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 4 years agoHi everyone and thank you for sharing your views and thoughts on "A Green New Deal”.
The recovery team and policy teams at City Hall have created an evidence hub, with facts, figures and a lot more information about this mission. Find out more on this page
The team are still consulting and developing each of the recovery missions, and the focus for these will likely develop as the conversations continue with Londoners and key partner stakeholders.
Looking at the mission again: “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.”
Is there anything critical to London’s recovery missing from this mission? Who has a role to play to meet this challenge?
Please share your thoughts below!
Talk London
RikeB15
Community Member 4 years agoA green recovery is essential for the future of London. As more people will work remotely, life in the inner city has to be attractive and healthy for young families to stay.
Pedestrianising large areas of central London would improve air...
Show full commentA green recovery is essential for the future of London. As more people will work remotely, life in the inner city has to be attractive and healthy for young families to stay.
Pedestrianising large areas of central London would improve air quality and quality of life, while boosting the economy by making shopping, eating out, and enjoying nightlife more attractive.
Public space needs to be redesigned such that everyone can use it, by drastically reducing the space given to private parking. Walking and cycling need to be prioritised in all transport planning, together with public transport. Private vehicle use needs to be strictly limited throughout London, and smaller cars be given priority over SUVs which unnecessarily take road space away from others, and pose an immense safety risk to cyclists.Cycle highways need to be extended, and road use designed to disincentivise private driving, for example by introducing more one way streets with two-way cycle lanes.
Pedestrian crossing of large roads should be expedited, by adjusting traffic light cycles such that roads can be crossed in one phase, rather than having to wait in between two lanes.
Walking and cycling need to be enjoyable and stress-free to allow for healthier, more active lifestyles.
Show less of commentNBB-Hackney
Community Member 4 years agoI strongly agree with RikeB15.
I love the Mayor's aim to be pollution-free in London by 2030. But TFL needs to factor in that electric cars also give pollution - toxic air - from brake wear. So the aim needs to be removing non-essential...
Show full commentI strongly agree with RikeB15.
I love the Mayor's aim to be pollution-free in London by 2030. But TFL needs to factor in that electric cars also give pollution - toxic air - from brake wear. So the aim needs to be removing non-essential cars by 2030. Instead of cars, as RikeB15 suggests, a growth in healthy activities, walking, cycling, new biodiverse green areas in the city. This creates jobs, and therefore growth, but healthy sustainable growth. Personally, I feel that 2030 is too slow. Other cities will beat us to it! Why not make London the first city to go pollution-free and fossil-fuel free and plastic-free? We can do it with determination. Why not aim for 2025, immediately targeting resources, discouraging polluting ones?
Going waste-free is a brilliant aim, but 2050 is too late. I already shop about a third of my products at a waste-free shop. If there were more opportunities to do so, with waste-free shops and services in each neighbourhood, then I could make that near-100 percent. Please support small waste-free businesses. Local shops are better than large services since they return more investment to local communities (as research shows). So it's a great aim but very unambitious to push that back to 2050. We can completely achieve that by 2030 - heck, why not even 2025? It just takes determination, and targeted spuport (as well as removing support from waste-creating businesses).
Show less of commentWillReeves71
Community Member 4 years agoWhere is your research to say SUV's are more dangerous to cyclists then smaller cars?
SUV's normally have more onboard safety devices like cameras and sensors to prevent accidents.
Show full commentWhere is your research to say SUV's are more dangerous to cyclists then smaller cars?
SUV's normally have more onboard safety devices like cameras and sensors to prevent accidents.
Show less of commentLoveLifeandfairness
Community Member 4 years agoIt is key to encourage businesses to be dispersed and people to live and work as locally as possible. Public transport is not a true solution if the city keeps growing in numbers and people travel from ever further. Reducing congestion in a...
Show full commentIt is key to encourage businesses to be dispersed and people to live and work as locally as possible. Public transport is not a true solution if the city keeps growing in numbers and people travel from ever further. Reducing congestion in a way that is actually not a burden but a preferred choice is fundamental. Also should not have residential neighbourhoods with too little nightlife, as again that will encourage people to take cars. People should have all basic needs within 30 min walking distance.
Show less of commentMariaT
Community Member 4 years agoI completely agree with the mission. However, district heating systems are now being put in place in new builds, with little regard to how much energy wastage (unused heat etc) there is. But the main problem for us right now is the cost-...
Show full commentI completely agree with the mission. However, district heating systems are now being put in place in new builds, with little regard to how much energy wastage (unused heat etc) there is. But the main problem for us right now is the cost- the sector is unregulated and suppliers are charging unethically because there is no requirement for them to be ethical. The systems often break down leaving whole developments without heat but for a huge cost.
I have just bought a one bed shared ownership property- supposedly 'affordable housing'.
My EPC estimates energy costs to be £18 pcm as it is so energy efficient. However, in reality I am being charged £64 per month BEFORE I USE ANY ENERGY by SSE. £64 is my standing charge per month just for hot water, cooling & heating. Bills in the winter will be £100-£200 in total per month before electricity! I am a teacher- how is that affordable for me?
I currently live in a less energy efficient 3 bed in the same postcode & our heating, hot water & electricity is £69 per month in total for three of us with the other two working from home all day. I thought by buying the shared ownership one bed, my bills would go down, not up!
By leaving the sector unregulated, you are forcing people to move into older properties with their own boiler to avoid district heating. There will come a time where the current new builds will be unsellable unless something is done to regulate the sector and reduce costs.
Show less of commentWillReeves71
Community Member 4 years agoLook at changing utility provider ASAP, I have lived in a shared ownership property for 12 years and changed provider about 6 times, my bills are cheaper now then when I moved in.
The mayor of London does a scheme called London Power.
Show full commentLook at changing utility provider ASAP, I have lived in a shared ownership property for 12 years and changed provider about 6 times, my bills are cheaper now then when I moved in.
The mayor of London does a scheme called London Power.
Show less of commentDavidB
Community Member 4 years agoThere are certain aspects of the Green Deal which are a disaster for Central London. The emphasis on cycle lanes above all else is making bus travel very unattractive and has discourages people from visiting other areas of the city. Bus...
Show full commentThere are certain aspects of the Green Deal which are a disaster for Central London. The emphasis on cycle lanes above all else is making bus travel very unattractive and has discourages people from visiting other areas of the city. Bus travel is more important than cycling as it transports far more people than the noisy minority on bicycles. Slowly London is being turned into a city where it is difficult to move around. The increased congestion charge and the fact that it applies in the evening is a disaster for business/night life. The majority of people are against these ideas and hence the increased number of petitions and local demonstrations. Time for a rethink.
Show less of commenttheuandd
Community Member 4 years agoA green new deal is essential but I dont think anyone, even those who have signed up to the Paris climate accord realise the carbon reduction required. It is not enough. Food waste bins and collection isnt even mandatory in all boroughs...
Show full commentA green new deal is essential but I dont think anyone, even those who have signed up to the Paris climate accord realise the carbon reduction required. It is not enough. Food waste bins and collection isnt even mandatory in all boroughs until 2023. What a small thing and it hasn't even been implemented. The real big changes are to do with non green corporations though. We need to make green energy more accessible to the greater public.
Show less of commentBigcity
Community Member 4 years agoThere is an element of truth to the idea that cracking on with initiatives which have already been debated, designed, planned for etc. is helpful - this is not to suggest that nothing is happening or that it is all terrible etc. - rather...
Show full commentThere is an element of truth to the idea that cracking on with initiatives which have already been debated, designed, planned for etc. is helpful - this is not to suggest that nothing is happening or that it is all terrible etc. - rather, that it is too timid, assumes problems of a scale and kind which may or may not be real, and not urgent enough - the timescales are just far too long and recommendations - often good and sensible recommendations - get lost or negotiated down. Understand why - but let's go around the loop again I say.
An audit of, and onslaught onto all the recommendations/actions to reports and strategies etc. would be wonderful - after all, most solutions which are at all viable have already been thought of - and possibly already designed.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoA Green New Deal is essential. It is the perfect time to implement and to make sure that it is a Just Recovery from a pandemic and a Just Transition to a greener future. Green jobs for those with jobs in carbon-intensive jobs, reskilling...
Show full commentA Green New Deal is essential. It is the perfect time to implement and to make sure that it is a Just Recovery from a pandemic and a Just Transition to a greener future. Green jobs for those with jobs in carbon-intensive jobs, reskilling and retraining to ensure no one loses out in a transition to a greener London. Green spaces are essential for Londoners to enjoy, including more parks/gardens/trees for shade and cooling in the city as well as to improve citizens happiness and wellbeing. Plus, clean up water and rivers to swim in and enjoy (for free!) - in cities like Copenhagen and Munich you can swim in the city centre and enjoy nature right at the heart of it. A focus on green energy within homes that is affordable and efficient, as well as for transport and improved cycle lanes and available Santander cycles. Pedestrianise more areas and make it safer and more normal to cycle round the city.
Show less of commentegcd
Community Member 4 years agoA Green New Deal is essential as London must set an example to other cities nationwide, as well as internationally. The focus must be on making sustainability more affordable and accessible for all as well as targeting the most problematic...
Show full commentA Green New Deal is essential as London must set an example to other cities nationwide, as well as internationally. The focus must be on making sustainability more affordable and accessible for all as well as targeting the most problematic areas such as large corporations.
There should be accessible, safe cycle paths everywhere, cycle to work/school/uni schemes would encourage more people to use sustainable transport options. That being said, the use of sustainable energy on all other transport options would reduce London's carbon footprint.
Pressure needs to be put on large companies within London to review their waste and energy. Sustainable rebranding should be encouraged. A focus on recycled and recyclable packaging should be set so that businesses aren't using virgin plastic. Supermarkets should be motivated to have zero waste options where items are unpackaged, like a refill station.
Show less of commentSpch
Community Member 4 years agoThe green new deal is absolutely critical for London as we recover from the pandemic and look ahead to our long term future.
A focus on ending fossil fuel reliance and switching to renewable energy throughout the city should be prioritised...
Show full commentThe green new deal is absolutely critical for London as we recover from the pandemic and look ahead to our long term future.
A focus on ending fossil fuel reliance and switching to renewable energy throughout the city should be prioritised, as well as a re-design for how spaces work for public transport and cyclists, over private vehicles. I would like to see this happen for Greater London boroughs as well, especially in how public transport works in going from one outskirt to another, rather than the focus on going from the outskirts to the inner city, especially now that working from home is likely to be a part of the future, and less people will be commuting into inner-London.
I have noticed that not every borough has adequate food waste facilities, since friends don't have the same access to a food waste bin as I do - this would be a small action that could really help to reduce emissions unecessarily.
Better insulation and help with adapting and creating homes to be more energy efficient is also key, as well as holding large corporations to account with their use of energy, waste disposal etc. to ensure they are weaving greener energy efficiency into the heart of all their practices.
There is real opportunity for London to truly lead the way in the UK's green recovery, and to also ensure that adequate training and upskill into green jobs are provided for everyone in declining industries, and also to ensure that green spaces and nature are accessible to those in more deprived & lower income areas, who need it the most.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoThis is so critical for London now. London needs to re-establish itself as a progressive city given the huge credibility loss we've suffered with a publicly bungled Brexit. Not to mention the fact that the air we're all breathing is...
Show full commentThis is so critical for London now. London needs to re-establish itself as a progressive city given the huge credibility loss we've suffered with a publicly bungled Brexit. Not to mention the fact that the air we're all breathing is terribly polluted, beyond all reason! This means that everything in Londoners' power should be done to make all transport, business and housing cleaner, greener and by extension more resilient. We need to do it for us, and the future generations of Londoners to come.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoThe Green New Deal is not only beneficial in the short term, but also in the long term. Action from the Mayor of London to combat the climate crisis is essential, as without encouragement and pioneering decisions many individuals can feel...
Show full commentThe Green New Deal is not only beneficial in the short term, but also in the long term. Action from the Mayor of London to combat the climate crisis is essential, as without encouragement and pioneering decisions many individuals can feel overwhelmed with the decisions they have to make to be more conscious of their environmental footprint. Steps to be taken to help individuals make choices can include, improving transport fuel (biodiesel/electricity and even renewable energy sources), improving cycle highways to increase confidence in taking this means of transport. Furthermore, if the Mayor of London were to take bold steps, this would mitigate the impact that the climate crisis will inevitably have on our economy due to changes in weather patterns which could prompt food insecurity, flooding and other natural disasters.
Additionally, Londoners have a new-found appreciation for green spaces thanks to the lockdown during the first half of this year. Access to green spaces has been proven to not only help improve mood but it can also be a visual representation on the effects of global warming, as we have seen with the recent recording breaking temperatures. Funding and supporting existing green spaces is pivotal.
Show less of commentJulianBull
Community Member 4 years agoBring it on! End car dominance of our city landscape, sustainable and active transport is the way to go. What's not to like?
Good for you:
Show full commentLive happier, healthier and longer
Free, or cheaper to buy and run
Short distances are faster than...
Bring it on! End car dominance of our city landscape, sustainable and active transport is the way to go. What's not to like?
Good for you:
Live happier, healthier and longer
Free, or cheaper to buy and run
Short distances are faster than driving
More realiable (no traffic jams or transport delays and cancellations)
Better air quality than inside cars or underground
License/age not required (independence)
Efficiency of including exercise in everyday activities (e.g. school run)
Less road rage, more social cohesion
Good for everyone:
Show less of commentImproved air quality
Increased road safety
Quieter roads (noise pollution)
Reduced congestion
Help the NHS and the economy (obesity epidemic)
Tackle the climate crisis
Encourage others to do the same (positive feedback)
Paul Bowers
Community Member 4 years agohow is that good for the frail or disabled who need a car to get to appointments for treatments or to work?
how is that good for the frail or disabled who need a car to get to appointments for treatments or to work?
JulianBull
Community Member 4 years agoThe more people stop driving to buy their pint of milk or do their sub-kilometer school run, the more the frail and disabled will be able to get anywhere with their car.
In other words, walk or cycle if you can, so that those who cannot...
Show full commentThe more people stop driving to buy their pint of milk or do their sub-kilometer school run, the more the frail and disabled will be able to get anywhere with their car.
In other words, walk or cycle if you can, so that those who cannot are not afflicted by unnecessary congestion.
Show less of comment