Bad air and green assets
Mayor Sadiq Khan calls air pollution "a health crisis". A number of reforms have been introduced to remedy the situation, with the ambitious aim of ensuring that 80% of journeys in Greater London are made on foot, by bicycle or by public transport by 2041, compared with 63% today. But how do you explain the fact that legal levels of air pollutants are often exceeded? Perhaps because the congestion charge only covers part of London, and does not apply to chauffeur-driven vehicles (VTCs) or delivery vans, which are on the increase. To remedy this, Sadiq Khan has introduced a new tax in April 2019 (the T charge). In addition to this measure, Mayor Sadiq Khan has introduced ULEZs (Ultra Low Emission Zones) in 2019. Initially confined to the hypercentre, it has gradually expanded to apply to the entire Greater London area! The £12.50 daily charge applies in addition to the congestion charge, which does not comply with ultra-low carbon emission standards. This should encourage drivers to change their habits and acquire less polluting vehicles, in the hope that the capital's inhabitants will finally be able to breathe easier. While this measure will delight many of the city's wealthy residents, it tends to drive a wedge between them and residents of more remote areas who rely on cars for their business travel.
Since 2010, two cycle superhighways have linked the suburbs to the center, on dedicated lanes running east-west and north-south. However, many more separate lanes will have to be built to achieve the ambitious goal of doubling the number of bicycle journeys by 2026..
An unusual urban fauna
With 40% of its green space, including the must-see St James Park, Richmond Park and Hyde Park, close to the city centre, London is the third greenest city in the world. This allows it to host a rich biodiversity. About 2,000 plant species, 60 bird species and 40 butterfly species have been recorded. Just turn your head in a park to see small grey squirrels running along the trees. Another animal that has become the city's favourite is the urban fox. There are more than 10,000 of them according to the latest counts. You will also meet deer herds in Richmond Park. Or maybe on the city's sidewalks, because it is no longer so rare to see them on the streets of the capital!
A rare collection of plants
Kew Botanical Gardens are a must for plant lovers. This is one of the world's largest collections of plants. Spanning 121 hectares, this Unesco World Heritage site presents a breathtaking botanical tour of the world. In the palm grove, you'll discover tropical and humid environments, the Princess of Wales conservatory, all kinds of cacti and succulents, the temperate house of exotic and tropical plants... There are a dozen places to discover, including a bamboo garden, a pagoda, an azalea garden... Allow at least one day for the visit.
"Community Gardens and organic markets
In the city's turmoil, some Londoners are seeking to reconnect with nature by creating shared gardens. Managed by groups of citizens or associations, they are referred to here as "Community Gardens". The nicest place to visit is undoubtedly the Nomadic Community Garden in the Shoreditch district. Built in 2015 by an association on a 2.5 hectare wasteland, this garden is decorated with street art works and installations made from recycled objects. You can have a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. With their fatty and highly processed dishes, the English do not have the reputation of eating very "healthy". Yet, as in other major Western cities, organic brands have grown all over London. One of the most widespread store chains is Planet Organic. The Old Spitalfields market, held every Sunday in the Tower Hamlets district, is renowned for its organic products.
Less waste for a cleaner Thames
Gone are the days when the Thames was "clinically dead". Today, it is home to significant biodiversity. According to a study carried out by the Zoological Society of London between 2004 and 2014, over 2,000 seals have been spotted in the Thames over the past decade. Hundreds of porpoises and dolphins have also been spotted, and even a whale!
Yet plastic pollution remains high. The Thames21 association regularly organizes waste collections and raises awareness on this subject. The city council has developed its network of free water fountains to reduce the use of plastic bottles. It has to be said that Londoners are not good students in terms of recycling, with a rate of 32% of waste recycled, compared with 43% nationally. Single-use packaging is still legion in supermarkets, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sections. The scourge of disposable, multicolored vaping machines has also taken England by storm, with the country largely preferring these little toys to cigarettes. Fortunately, these ecological aberrations will be banned in the UK by 2024. Waste collection is managed in each district by the London Borough Council, with different rules, which doesn't help users to find their way around... Information by district can be found on the city's website!
