London's Biodiversity

Mayor urged to act to protect London’s biodiversity

More than half of respondents to a new London Assembly biodiversity survey believe Mayor Boris Johnson is not doing enough to protect and support the capital’s green spaces and wildlife habitats, amid revelations that his Mayoral Strategy^[1] has not been updated for more than a decade. 

The Assembly Environment Committee survey of 841 nature conservation and community groups, plus individuals in London^[2] found 56 per cent thought the Mayor could do more to protect London’s biodiversity, and over sixty per cent felt local boroughs were also not doing enough.

The survey also revealed that almost four in 10 respondents were particularly concerned about pressure from developments. 

One respondent said: “(There is) pressure from developers to build on green spaces or so called 'waste land' which is in fact a valuable wild habitat for all sorts of plants, insects and animals. The trend towards 'green desert' gardens with over-manicured lawns and borders is depriving wild birds and insects of food and habitat”.

During the course of its work, the Committee heard in the three years up to 2012, some 215 hectares of “open space land” has been lost and the numbers of sparrows and song thrush have been in decline for years.

The Committee has now written^[3] to the Mayor, urging him to take a strategic lead and act as an essential catalyst on issues relating to biodiversity conservation in London, and to update the Mayoral Biodiversity Strategy to reflect changes in policy and thinking since it was published 11 years ago. 

It has also set out a number of actions it wants the Mayor to consider, including raising awareness on how to protect and encourage wildlife in green spaces and giving support to relevant organisations and volunteers.

The letter also highlights how with the increase in decking and paving on private gardens - which make up a third of London’s green spaces - there is a need to increase public awareness of their value in maintaining biodiversity in the capital.

Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, said: “There are pockets of land all over London, including private gardens, wasteland, protected nature sites and parks, all of which contribute to the biodiversity of the capital by providing habitats for animals, birds and plants.

“However, our research suggests they may be under pressure from development and those working to preserve these spaces think the Mayor and local councils are not doing enough to protect them.

“With the Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy now more than a decade old, it really is time for him to look at this issue again and demonstrate he is serious about biodiversity issues in the capital.  We need him to provide a clear strategy for developing programmes to help achieve better resilience of London’s wildlife.”

London Wildlife Trust has also given its support to the Assembly’s call for more action on biodiversity.

Mathew Frith, Director of Policy & Planning for London Wildlife Trust said: “London has a fantastic – if sometimes under-appreciated – legacy of conserving its natural assets. The city has over 200 nature reserves, over 1,500 sites of ecological value, and innovative work by dedicated people has helped to ensure that wildlife has breathing space in the midst of the city - in parks, gardens and even some new developments.

“However, the pressures on the capital’s wildlife are increasing, and we are witnessing significant declines in some habitats and characteristic species. Collectively, we need to move to reverse these declines.

“We welcome the Assembly’s call for the Mayor and local authorities to demonstrate more specific action to protect nature in London, not only for its own intrinsic value, but for the benefits it provides to the city – making it a more attractive and pleasant place in which to live, work and play.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1.      See the 2002 Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy

2.      The online survey conducted in August and September 2013 was promoted through a range of channels including the GLA’s website and Twitter. Direct invitations were also sent to over 300 community groups and networks with an interest in London’s environment. In total we received 841 responses.

3.      Read the letter.

4.      Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.  See contact details below.

5.      As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Lisa Moore or Julie Wheldon in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4228/4283.  For out-of-hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.