Election 2010 Manifesto

Environmental deprivation and lack of contact with nature is at the heart of many of the socio-economic problems faced by our deprived urban communities today, particularly the young.  In addition, it is well documented that the effects of climate change will disproportionately hit these communities because they haven’t the protection of adequate green cover such as tree canopies.  Trees provide a unique way to counteract these issues and bring the natural world into the city.

Trees for Cities calls on all the political parties to commit to the following:

• Implement a new National Strategy for Urban Trees which aims to increase tree canopy cover in urban areas by at least 10% by 2050 and which prioritises the planting of new trees in deprived areas
• Provide statutory guidance to all Local Authorities with an urban remit to implement a robust Tree Strategy, which includes the 10% target, prioritises the planting of new trees in deprived areas and works with those communities to ensure they are the right trees in the right places
• Give every urban child the right to a childhood enriched by trees enabling them to grow in confidence and self esteem and create memories for their future through planning guidance that makes provision for natural play space which includes trees within walking distance from their home
• Give every urban child the right to outside play under the canopy of a tree being protected from the dangers of excessive heat and sunshine through statutory guidance that all school playgrounds and playgroup outdoor play areas are covered by tree canopies
• Sponsor every urban household to reduce energy bills by up to 20% by planting a tree in the space outside their house either in the street, communal open space or their own garden as part of an energy use reduction campaign
• Give every urban dweller the opportunity to help adapt their local area to climate change through volunteer tree planting programmes as part of local adaptation strategies
• Embed the socio-economic value of trees and tree planting across all social strategies, including health, crime, social cohesion, regeneration and education, backed up by cost-benefit analysis similar to that already being pioneered in the US and Australia
• Make street tree planting part of statutory guidance provided to Local Authorities to create healthier streets recognising the unique ability of trees to combat many of the health concerns faced by users of busy, exposed, polluted urban streets

Download a pdf version of the manifesto here

[1] Modelling work based on Manchester suggests that adding 10% green cover would keep maximum surface temperatures in high density residential areas and town centres on the hottest summer days at or below the 1961-1990 level and  [2] Trees help improve the environmental performance of buildings – a well planted landscape can lower heating and cooling costs by 20%. Gill, SE., Handley, JF., Ennos, AR & Pauleit, S (2007) Adapting Cities for Climate change: the role of the green infrastructure. Built Environment 33 (1) pp 115-133. 

In order for green cover to play its part in adapting UK cities to climate change, the increase in green cover needs to be in place by mid century so that temperatures do not rise to the critical 4oC rise that could trigger a runaway increase. This means planting these trees now so that they will be reaching maturity at that point. [3] City of New York Parks and Recreation Calculating Tree Benefits for New York City.