Johnson prepares London for climate change disaster

Boris Johnson at the Thames Barrier today

Friday, 29, Aug 2008 02:38

London mayor Boris Johnson has launched what he claims is the first climate change strategy for a major city.

The plan seeks to prepare the capital for the increased risk of flooding, droughts and heatwaves caused by the impact climate change will have on weather trends in the south-east of England.

Standing on the banks of the River Thames with the Thames River Barrier behind him, Mr Johnson told reporters he hoped the strategy would put London in a "position of strength".

"We need to concentrate efforts to slash carbon emissions and become more energy efficient in order to prevent dangerous climate change," he said.

"But we also need to prepare for how our climate is expected to change in the future."

Mr Johnson hopes to lead a city-wide "urban greening programme" which will help absorb and retain rainwater, lowering the impact of the fast runoff rate seen in the city's built-up environment.

Developers working in an "urban heat island action area" will be required to construct new buildings in ways which help reduce their impact on temperatures in the city centre microclimate.

And, to plan for ways to cope with future droughts, the mayor's office will seek to facilitate compulsory water metering in all developments and make all of London's homes more water efficient. 'Rainwater harvesting' and 'grey water' recycling in new buildings is also being considered.

"What I'm trying to do today is get the message across that there are real things people can do to reduce water consumption, make sure they know about the risks to themselves and their property from flooding and that they understand that the green cover we intend to increase is a good thing," Mr Johnson continued.

"I've always been determinedly green. Climate change is not just about rising sea levels… there is a synergy between the demands of big science and what we want to do with the urban landscape."

Mr Johnson said London has things to learn from Beijing, its predecessor as the world's Olympic city, highlighting the ten million trees planted in Beijing for the Olympics.

"As you know I'm very proud to have scrapped the Londoner newspaper and we've got a pledge to plant 10,000 trees. London is one of the greenest cities in the world, but we can do better."