London Mayor Boris Johnson visited the Thames Barrier this morning to launch a new draft strategy to prepare the capital for climate change.
London’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy outlines the impact that past and present carbon emissions will have on London’s climate and makes a number of proposals including increasing the number of green spaces to keep the city cool in summer.
Mayor Johnson said the capital needed “to concentrate efforts to slash carbon emissions and become more energy efficient in order to prevent dangerous climate change. But we also need to prepare for how our climate is expected to change in the future.”
Other proposals include managing the risk of flood the tributaries to the Thames and surface water flooding from heavy rainfall, encouraging Londoners to use less water and raising public awareness to flood risk.
The Mayor was joined by Robert Runcie , Regional Director at the the Environment Agency who commented: “London’s world class city is currently protected from the increasing risk of tidal flooding by the iconic Thames Barrier, which will see us into the next century as the people and businesses of London move forward in adapting to meet the challenges of climate change.”
The Mayor’s strategy is subject to consultation with the Greater London Authority bodies after which a second draft will be issued for public consultation.
