Mayor Launches Green Roots Fund to Make London Greener, Healthier, and Climate Resilient

Strategic Insights -

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new Green Roots Fund, which will invest over PS12 million to make neighbourhoods across the capital greener, healthier, and more climate resilient. The fund will support the creation and improvement of London's green and blue spaces, such as parks, community gardens, wetlands, and rivers. This includes projects that will restore habitats for nature to thrive and could reintroduce lost species.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new Green Roots Fund will invest over PS12 million over the next three years to support community groups, boroughs, and stakeholders to create and improve green and blue spaces across London.
  • The fund will award grants ranging from PS10,000 to PS500,000 to support projects such as tree planting, wildflower meadows, parklets, and waterway improvements.
  • Research shows that those from Black, Asian, or minority ethnic communities are more than twice as likely to live in an area deprived of green space, while more than one in five households in London have no access to a garden.
  • The fund will tackle this social injustice, empowering communities with the opportunity to increase their access to green and blue spaces.
  • The launch comes at the start of London Climate Action Week, which is the largest city-wide climate event in Europe, hosting over 700 in-person and virtual events and attracting over 45,000 people.
  • Since taking office in 2016, Sadiq's initiatives have led to the planting of over 600,000 trees across London, totalling 85 hectares of tree-filled green spaces.
  • The Mayor has also invested over PS2.5 million through his Rewild London Fund, supporting the restoration and rewilding of London's most valuable places for nature.
  • The Mayor has a goal to deliver more natural spaces in the city that are accessible to all, aiming to improve and create over 900 hectares of green space, equivalent to over 2,000 football pitches.

Statistics:

  • Over PS12 million to be invested in the Green Roots Fund over the next three years.
  • 700 in-person and virtual events being hosted during London Climate Action Week.
  • Over 45,000 people attending events during London Climate Action Week.
  • Over 600,000 trees planted across London since 2016.
  • Over PS2.5 million invested through the Rewild London Fund since 2021.
  • 85 hectares of tree-filled green spaces created across London since 2016.
  • Over 30 hectares of green space improved or created through the Grow Back Greener Fund.
  • Over 25,000 trees planted through the Grow Back Greener Fund.

Sources:

  • [1] Greater London Authority. (2023). London Climate Action Week.
  • [2] Greater London Authority. (2023). Mayor Launches New Fund at the Start of London Climate Action Week.
  • [3] Friends of Mostyn Garden Project. (2023). Muslim Women of Merton Co-ordinator Neaz Ahmed quoted in Mayor Launches New Fund at the Start of London Climate Action Week.
  • [4] Greater London Authority. (2023). Grow Back Greener Fund.
  • [5] National Park City Foundation. (2023). London National Park City Chair Navdeep Deol quoted in Mayor Launches New Fund at the Start of London Climate Action Week.
  • [6] Wildlife Gardeners of Haggerston. (2023). Chair Gideon Corby quoted in Mayor Launches New Fund at the Start of London Climate Action Week.