On Thursday, May 2, 2024, Londoners will head to the polls, armed with their photo IDs, to cast their votes for the next London Mayor and 25 London Assembly members.

In the build up to the elections CPRE London and the A More Natural Capital Coalition hosted the Mayoral Environment Debate. This coalition, comprising 20 influential charities dedicated to preserving London's natural beauty, brought together key mayoral candidates to discuss critical issues affecting the city's environmental future.

The coalition aims to accelerate environmental action in London by 2030, including planting 1,000 hectares of new tree canopy cover and creating 10 major parks or nature reserves. Additionally, it seeks to promote local food production through community orchards and large community farms. Protecting existing green spaces, securing funding, and endorsing Parks and Open Spaces Charters are also priorities. Emergency rain garden construction, along with the creation of garden streets and street parks, aims to enhance urban greenery and mitigate flood risks. Encouraging low traffic neighbourhoods and promoting walking through the London Leisure Walking Plan are integral to fostering greener, safer streets.

Whilst ecoACTIVE is not a member of the A More Natural Capital Coalition our Marketing and Communications Officer Michael Shilling did film the event as part of a volunteer role with CPRE London. In the spirit of full disclosure he is also a London National Park City Ranger and Content Creator at Footways.

From Left To Right - Leonie Cooper – Labour GLA Environment Committee member on behalf of Sadiq Khan, Zoe Garbett – Green Party London Mayoral candidate, Rob Blackie – Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Emma Best – Conservative GLA Environment Committee member on behalf of Susan Hall, Tony Burton - CPRE London Chair

Protecting London's Environment: Recap of the Mayoral Environment Debate

The debate served as a pivotal moment for Londoners, providing insights into each candidate's vision, policies, and commitments regarding environmental sustainability. Representing diverse political perspectives, candidates from major parties shared their strategies for addressing climate change, protecting green spaces, and fostering biodiversity across the capital.

From the Conservative Party's Emma Best , representing Susan Hall to the Liberal Democrats' Rob Blackie, candidates articulated their plans to tackle pollution, enhance water quality, and promote eco-friendly transport solutions. Additionally, the Green Party's Zoe Garbett and Labour's Leonie Cooper, speaking on behalf of incumbent Mayor Sadiq Khan, outlined ambitious agendas aimed at prioritising nature conservation and building a greener, healthier London for all.

The coalition's collaboration underscored the collective efforts needed to safeguard London's natural heritage. By bringing together leading environmental organisations, the debate showcased a unified voice advocating for policies that prioritise nature conservation, sustainable development, and community engagement.

As Londoners grapple with the realities of climate change and urbanisation, events like the Mayoral Environment Debate offer a platform for informed dialogue, civic engagement, and collective action. By amplifying the voices of both candidates and environmental advocates, this event illuminates the path forward towards a more resilient, equitable, and nature-rich London.

Watch the Mayoral Environment Debate

Watch the entire Mayoral Environment Debate. This event is hosted by the More Natural Capital Coalition - chaired by CPRE London’s Tony Burton - with members including the Woodland Trust, London Wildlife Trust, Ramblers, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Open Spaces Society, London Friends of Green Spaces Network, Thames21, London Parks and Gardens Trust, Footways, Parks for London, Sustain, The Orchard Project, National Park City. London Living Streets Group, Epping Forest Heritage Trust, River Action, TCV, Trees for Cities and Friends of the Earth.

Mayoral Environment Debate Opening Statements

Leonie Cooper – Labour GLA Environment Committee member on behalf of Sadiq Khan

Speaking on behalf of the current Mayor of London, Leonie emphasised the urgent need to address climate change and ecological collapse. She highlighted Sadiq Khan's ambitious targets for London to reach Net Zero by 2030, recognising the city's vulnerability to extreme weather events like heatwaves and flash flooding.

As a representative of the Labour Party, Leonie underscores Sadiq Khan's commitment to prioritising environmental initiatives, as evidenced by investments of over £30 million in green spaces and tree planting. She emphasises the importance of protecting and expanding London's green spaces for the health and well-being of both nature and Londoners, particularly in mitigating the urban heat island effect.

Leonie applauds Sadiq Khan's efforts in enhancing biodiversity, including the reintroduction of beavers and bats to various parts of London. She also highlights the Mayor's focus on promoting active travel through cycling and walking routes, which not only benefits humans but also supports biodiversity.

Looking ahead, Leonie mentions Sadiq Khan's plans for a potential third term as Mayor, where he aims to prioritise cleaning up rivers and continuing his environmental agenda. She urges voters, even those inclined towards other parties, to support Sadiq Khan due to the importance of maintaining a strong stance on environmental issues in the face of political challenges.

Overall, Leonie Cooper's speech underscores Sadiq Khan's dedication to addressing environmental concerns and his vision for a sustainable and resilient London.

Leonie Cooper – Labour GLA Environment Committee member on behalf of Sadiq Khan

Zoe Garbett – Green Party London Mayoral candidate

The Green Party London Mayoral candidate, began her address by expressing gratitude to CPRE for organising the hustings and to all the organisations advocating for nature in the election. She reflects on her upbringing, highlighting her immersion in nature as a Girl Scout and her parents' influence as teachers, instilling in her a sense of public duty.

With over a decade of experience in senior roles in public health and the NHS, Zoe emphasiseds her commitment to public service and her track record of delivering for her constituents in Hackney. Her alignment with the Green Party since 2014 stems from shared values of protecting nature and addressing the climate emergency.

Zoe underscores the Green Party's legacy of environmental stewardship and commits wholeheartedly to the pledges outlined in the manifesto. She stresses the urgency of addressing the climate emergency through policies that prioritise affordable housing, protection of green spaces, and tackling inequality, including initiatives to combat food poverty and promote food sustainability.

Highlighting the importance of connecting people with nature, Zoe advocates for initiatives such as food growing projects, allotments, orchards, and farms to ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage with and appreciate the natural world. She emphasises that addressing the ecological emergency is integral to addressing the climate crisis.

In conclusion, Zoe calls for support for the Green Party in the upcoming election, citing the growing momentum of the party and its vital role in addressing both the climate and ecological emergencies. She urges voters to recognise the significance of their choice in shaping a sustainable future for London and beyond.

Zoe Garbett – Green Party London Mayoral candidate

Rob Blackie – Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate

Rob Blackie, the Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, begins his statement by acknowledging the collective effort of everyone present in making London more environmentally friendly. He shares his personal journey of campaigning on environmental issues since the 1980s, highlighting the evolving perception of such activism from being considered niche to gaining broader recognition today.

Rob then draws on his experience as an environmental economist and his work on elephant conservation in Namibia to underscore the importance of involving communities in solving environmental problems. He emphasises the need for practical solutions that make it easier for people to contribute, such as increasing electric car charging infrastructure and simplifying processes like obtaining solar panels.

Furthermore, Rob criticises projects that undermine environmental goals, such as expanding airports and building motorways like the Silvertown Tunnel, which the Liberal Democrats oppose. He stresses the importance of boosting biodiversity, framing it in relatable terms as supporting "birds and bugs."

Rob concludes by announcing his pledge to significantly expand the number of allotments in London, highlighting their dual benefits of providing joy to residents and fostering biodiversity. He calls for support in promoting the idea that "messiness is good," challenging misconceptions about biodiverse policies and encouraging collaboration with Liberal Democrat councils to implement such initiatives effectively.

Rob Blackie – Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate

Emma Best – Conservative GLA Environment Committee member on behalf of Susan Hall

Emma Best, representing Susan Hall, opened her statement by expressing gratitude for the turnout and emphasised the importance of listening to all Londoners. Emma asserts her commitment to advocating for environmental issues as the Conservative representative on the Environment Committee since 2021. Susan Hall's campaign prioritises listening to the diverse voices of Londoners, particularly regarding the preservation of green spaces, which is a personal passion for Susan as a mother and grandmother. Emma highlights key proposals from Susan's manifesto, such as allocating £50 million for pollution hotspots and implementing measures like garden streets and Santander bikes to promote sustainable transport. Susan pledges not to make promises she cannot fulfil and intends to collaborate with experts and organisations to develop comprehensive plans for London's environmental future.

Emma concludes by expressing eagerness for discussion and aims to persuade the audience of Susan Hall's vision and the Conservative Manifesto for the 2024 mayoral election.

The Race for Green Leadership: Picking the Ideal London Mayor for Environmental Preservation