Biodiversity is a concept that needs more consideration. Climate change is now a familiar construct and the World is on its 30th year of COP meetings. The Convention on Biological Diversity is only at COP16. Thus, it was important for our key Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) to hear about the background and actions taken by the City of London Corporation on this key topic.
Ben Bishop, the City’s Environmental Resilience Officer, gave SPOCs a comprehensive review of the legislation and literature and then a literal tour of some amazing projects around the City and its environs. Sadly, the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the World and we need to counter that decline. New legislation to ensure that in respect of any development in the City there is an assessment of Biodiversity Net Gain has just come into force and it is important that more than lip service is given to this requirement. Attendees found great comfort in the City’s innovative work including using bioacoustics to monitor birds and pollinators in the City’s parks.
Some members of LCAG support the City Corporation by sitting on the Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership Group or by working directly via Pollinating London Together or the Friends of City Gardens.
The City’s Biodiversity Action Plan lasts until 2026 but there is work underway to revise this and incorporate into Greater London’s wider work under the Local Nature Recovery Strategy banner.
Another useful website is Greenspace Information for Greater London (GIGL), which gives data and resources for all the London area.
You can also view LCAG’s guidance note on Green Spaces.
