UK – London ecological footprint study

London‘‘s Ecological Footprint is more than twice the size of Great Britain, which is a huge drain on the natural environment. If everyone lived as Londoner‘‘s do, it would require more than three planet Earths to support them.



This disturbing statistic is highlighted in London Remade‘‘s new report Making London a Sustainable City – Reducing London‘‘s Ecological Footprint. DTI Minister, Michael O‘‘Brien, launched the report on 15 March at National Grid Transco‘‘s London HQ.



Daniel Silverstone, Chief Executive at London Remade is calling for government and businesses to take notice and lead by example: "London‘‘s consumption clearly outstrips its share of natural resources and this points to major problems and constraints for its future. So the question is, what are we going to do about it?"



"In launching our new report, we have aimed to provide government and businesses with some practical ways in which London can work towards becoming a more sustainable city. In the long term, we cannot continue to have a capital city that has an Ecological Footprint of more than twice the size of Great Britain. No longer can we simply do nothing."



An Ecological Footprint is increasingly used as the standard way to measure the ecological impact of a country, city or organisation. It represents the area (in global hectares) of productive land or sea needed to produce the resources consumed by society and absorb the waste generated.



When analysed, London‘‘s Ecological Footprint comprises 35.7% resource use (goods and services), 23.6% food consumption (including its transport), 19.5% direct energy consumption, 13.9% personal transport and 7.2% other consumption.



"But we‘‘re not asking the people of London to grow their own carrots, or return to subsistence farming," says Silverstone. "We‘‘re asking government and business to lead the way by suggesting practical ways for organisations, industry and individuals to help improve the sustainability of London.



The report‘‘s ‘‘Agenda for Change‘‘ focuses on the four key areas:



· Resource use – reduce the consumption of short-life goods, especially paper · Food – a new approach to diet is needed with the promotion of food from more local sources · Energy and the built environment – action should be taken to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings · Transport – it should be possible for people to travel less and to travel mainly by public transport on foot or by bicycle