The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee have launched a new inquiry – ‘Urban Green Spaces‘.
The number of people who live in urban areas in the UK is expected to increase over the next decade, while the total provision of green spaces is expected to substantially decline. The inquiry will focus on the ecological, environmental and human benefits of green space, and explore the most effective solutions to making cities greener and nature rich.
Questions included in the inquiry’s call for evidence are:
- How successfully are the Government and Local Authorities protecting and increasing urban green spaces?
- What environmental challenges are urban areas facing
- Increased temperatures
- Flooding risks and water quality in urban watercourses
- Air pollution and the associated health implications
- Noise pollution
- Climate change and carbon storage
- Pressures on biodiversity and ecosystems in health centres
- Resource and waste management
- To what extent will Government initiatives Green Infrastructure Framework, the levelling up parks fund and urban tree challenge fund adequately address the issues associated with a lack of green space in towns and cities?
- Will the Government achieve its aims to increase the amount of green cover to 40% in urban residential areas? What other additional measures should the Government take to increase green urban space?
- Is access to urban green spaces equally distributed across all sectors of society?
The deadline for submissions to the call for evidence is Friday 20 October.