London’s trees in a changing climate

The London Assembly Environment Committee will hold a one-off meeting investigating London's tree stock.

In this one-off meeting, the Committee will explore what the impact of climate change will be on London’s tree stock and examine what plans the Mayor and other stakeholders have in place to adapt their tree planting and tree care strategies.

• The Mayor aims to increase tree canopy cover in London by 10 per cent by 2050. The latest updates are based on data from 2022, and estimate London’s tree canopy cover at 19.6% (±0.3%),- which indicates “no statistically significant change” from its last assessment in 2016.
• 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.[4] Detailed research by Kew Gardens published in 2024 identified that potentially over half of its tree collection is likely to be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change by 2090, indicating the need for succession planning to identify which types of trees to plant and how to best care for them.
• The GLA has commissioned Kew to use its climate model to undertake a detailed study of the impact of climate change on London’s overall tree stock. It aims to consider the implications of tree selection, the availability of future-proofed trees, and tree care. This work is expected to be published in September 2025.

This work forms part of the workstream of the London Urban Forest Partnership (LUFP), a coalition of organisations that collaborate to protect, manage and enhance London’s trees and woodlands, which the GLA Co-Chairs. The LUFP has recently published an action plan update which identifies priority actions in managing, protecting and enhancing London’s trees, woodlands and other habitats over the next five years.

1. What impact will climate change have on London’s tree stock?
2. What measures are needed to achieve the Mayor’s aim to increase canopy cover given the implications of climate change?
3. What can the Mayor do to ensure the trees he funds or manages are suitably looked after as the  climate continues to change? What advice can he also provide to other stakeholders?
4. What actions are needed to ensure that the types of trees that London may need are grown by nurseries and are available to purchase?
5. How can Londoners be involved in caring for trees and choosing which trees to plant?