Planting the right trees for future climates
London is expected to face rising average temperatures, summer droughts, and other extreme weather events due climate change,1 with 2024 being the hottest year globally on record.2
While trees and woodlands help tackle climate change and deliver many cross-cutting benefits, they’re also at risk from the impacts of climate change.3
Four out of ten of the most common street tree species in London are known to have low tolerance for drought, and six out of 10 are known to have low tolerance for flooding (soil waterlogging), which would further compound tree stress and vulnerability.4
The London Assembly Environment Committee will meet tomorrow to explore what effect climate change will have on London’s tree stock and examine what plans the Mayor has in place to help stakeholders adapt their tree planting and tree care strategies.
The guests are:
- Kevin Martin, Head of Tree Collections and Arboriculture, Kew Gardens
- Craig Ruddick, Executive Committee, The London Tree Officers Association and Arboriculture Manager, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
- Keith Sacre, Director of Urban Forestry, Barcham Trees
- Kate Sheldon, Chief Executive, Trees for Cities
- Abby Crisostomo, Head of Green Infrastructure, Environment, Greater London Authority
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 14 May 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- GLA, The London Climate Resilience Review, July 2024
- World Meteorological Organisation WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level 10 January 2025
- Cultivating resilient trees and woodlands in London: a model for all – Forestry Commission; Treeconomics London Urban Forest Resilience Project Report 2024
- Forestry Commission, Cultivating resilient trees and woodlands in London: a model for all, 9 October 2024
- Leonie Cooper AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Environment Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 251727 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.