Londoners are getting better at household recycling, air quality is improving, bird populations are increasing and the capital is becoming more carbon efficient, according to a new report published today (30 June, 2009) by the London Sustainable Development Commission.
The report gives a unique snapshot of the most important issues that affect Londoners’ quality of life, showing what is improving and where more needs to be done.
The third 'London Quality of Life Indicators' report identifies 23 key areas or 'indicators' that contribute to a healthy, safe, equal and sustainable city. The report identifies these key issues to assess where the capital is improving and underperforming. The report’s findings are designed to help policymaking organisations such as government departments, boroughs, charities and the third sector to develop and design their activities to improve how Londoners live, work and play. The report uses data gathered between 2005-2009.
The report scored improvements in 11 indicators, these are: reporting of street crime; child care provision; reduced carbon emissions; air quality (PM10s), household recycling; life expectancy; secondary education; carbon efficiency; electoral turnout; volunteering; and bird populations.
The Commission is an independent body, formed in 2002 to advise the Mayor of London on ways to make London a sustainable, world-class city.
John Plowman, Chair of the London Sustainable Development Commission, said: ‘This report captures the breadth of challenges facing London. The indicators we use to measure progress show how key issues are linked and need to be tackled together. To live up to being a truly sustainable, fair and liveable capital we want to see policy solutions which reduce social and economic inequalities, tackle London’s global environmental responsibilities and improve overall quality of life.
‘London must now become a resource efficient, low carbon economy, with opportunities for all. That is the way for London to emerge from recession strengthened against future economic, social and environmental shocks.’
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: ‘I welcome this snapshot of London providing a valuable resource for a wide range of organisations. It is good news that in many areas of life for Londoners standards are improving but this report underscores that policy makers cannot be complacent to the challenges that lie ahead.
'At City Hall we have our shoulders firmly to the wheel to raise the quality of life for Londoners through improved transport, a greener environment, boosting recycling and cutting crime. We have already rolled out policing teams across all of the London boroughs to patrol bus hubs. There is much to do to improve the provision of affordable housing, but we are committed to 50,000 affordable homes in the capital by 2011.
'This comprehensive report will help us refine where we focus attention and resources as we progress this agenda. People can play their own part, for example parents can help their kids opt to take public transport, walk or cycle to school to reduce the impact of the morning dash by car.'
The report concluded there were seven underperforming areas, these are: decent homes; satisfaction with living in the capital; income inequality; fuel poverty; increased waste; housing affordability and the level of children walking to school.
The report also identified areas of concern within improving indicators, that are classed as 'hidden issues'; these included the cost of child care; GCSE performance in Black and Ethnic Minority groups; increase in waste generated; disparities in life expectancy within and between boroughs.
For the first time, the Commission has identified three ‘cross-cutting issues’ which should be considered by policymakers. These are: London’s consumption of resources; threats to community cohesion; and the need to deliver change through innovative ways of working.