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Natural Environment

Oxleas Woods looking down the steps

Oxleas Woods

Trees and carbon-rich ecosystems play an important role in tackling climate change. Our green spaces can help us to adapt to the changing climate, providing benefits of flood protection and temperature regulation within cities. 

The Council owns and manages approximately 554 hectares of parks and green spaces that makes up most of green spaces within the borough. There are also private gardens and green spaces managed by other groups.  

Our Friends of Parks resident groups play very valuable roles in supporting the sustainability management of our parks and increasing their value in mitigating and adapting to climate change. This makes Royal Greenwich makes one of the greenest boroughs in London. 

Our actions 

Carbon capture (sequestration) is a last resort for reducing emissions. The preferred approach is to prevent emissions from occurring in the first place by focusing on energy supply and reducing energy consumption. 

 However, we recognise that efforts in this area have substantial co-benefits for the Borough’s ecology and biodiversity. We also recognise the significant value our residents place on the Borough’s green spaces.  

This is why we are focusing our actions on conservation management, tree planting, restoration of habitats and delivery of net gain biodiversity through planning applications.  

Progress so far  

  • We have achieved our target of planting 2022 trees by 2022, well in advance. As of September 2021, we have planted 2,538.  

  • More trees will follow on streets and other amenity areas for completion by the end of March 2024 when he planting season ends.  

  • The estimated total carbon saved (so far) by the end of the decade is 75 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tco2e). 

  • Planting projects have included small community orchards. In addition to increasing climate resilience, these green spaces also support biodiversity and provide free fruit for residents.  

  • Our street lighting dimming profiles not only saves carbon through reduced energy consumption but also reduces light pollution, a key driver of insect population decline.

Read the full Action Plan for  Natural Environment  for more details of the specific actions we’re taking.