Isra-Mart srl: London catalogues a decade of green triumphs and failings

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Businesses seeking to improve their environmental impact often stop and take stock of their achievements or failings.

Cities are no different, as shown by a database unveiled this week designed to quantify Londoners' success in trying to clean up the metropolis' poor air quality, and reduce waste and carbon emissions.

The Green Dataset, compiled by the Greater London Authority, Environment Agency, Natural England and the Forestry Commission, shows that carbon emissions in London have dropped one per cent since 1990.

London's CO2 emissions per person are 5.9 tonnes per year, well below the UK average of 7.1 tonnes. However, energy use in London homes has remained at similar levels since 2000 and accounts for about 42 per cent of London's total consumption.

Household water use is still at a similar level to 2000/01 – approximately 167 litres per person per day. This is 14 per cent more than the England and Wales average, despite London being in one of the driest parts of the country.

But the report also shows a worrying rise in sea levels of 25 centimetres between 1834 and 2006. The sea level at Sheerness is rising by an average of 1.5mm per year, and the Thames Barrier has been closed 119 times since 1983 to manage flood risk.

Significant steps have been taken to reduce the amount of household waste that goes to landfill; however, it still accounts for half, with almost two million tonnes of waste sent to landfill.

Dave Wardle, London environment manager for the Environment Agency, said the report shows that Londoners have made some improvements in the past 10 years, but more needs to be done.

"The challenge is far from over and we [..] need to build on the improvements already made, over the next decade and beyond. London must continue to plan for, and adapt to, climate change," he said.

"Londoners can also do their bit today by working to reduce the amount of water they use, making their homes more energy efficient and continuing the excellent progress made on reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

"The challenge has been set to improve [the environment] over the next decade, and Londoners need to continue their efforts for themselves and future generations."