London needs to do more to improve the environment, says Mayor

More renewable energy is being used in the capital, but too much waste is being sent to landfill according to a report published by London Mayor Ken Livingstone's office.


The Mayor’s State of the Environment Report gives an overview of the capital’s environmental quality. Covering everything from air pollution to abandoned vehicles and litter, the report sets out key statistics on London’s environment and what progress has been made.

Although the report shows improvement in public transport, renewable energy, recycling and air quality, it also indicates many improvements are necessary: specifically a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill, an increase in the amount of waste recycled, reducing our water consumption and leakage, continued improvement of air quality, street cleanliness and prevention of litter.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: ‘London’s environment is improving however much more needs to be done. The next report [in 2011] will be published on the threshold of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and I expect that a number of policies and initiatives will be in place by then and London will be an environmental showcase to the millions of visitors from within this country and from around the world who come to the Games.’

Some of the findings from the report include:

  • Air quality is improving with concentrations of key pollutants having fallen in the last ten years

  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fell by 13% and particulates (PM10) fell by 24% due to initiatives such as the congestion charge, improvements to London’s buses, the Mayor’s taxi emissions strategy along with EU regulatory improvements in vehicle technology.

  • Household recycling has increased, and now over 90% of London households either receive a recycling collection from home or have access to nearby facilities.

    The Mayor’s environmental report is a produced every four years. The next State of the Environment Report will be published in 2011.

    A copy of the report can be found at www.london.gov.uk

    Dana Gornitzki

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