Environmental analysis shows impact of climate change

Environmental analysis of urban parts of the UK has highlighted the need for more cities to build "green spaces".

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), the rising temperatures recorded in busy town centres can be tackled by introducing more leafy areas.

Rics statistics have suggested that urban temperatures are currently six degrees C higher than in rural parts of the country.

However, by taking steps to plant trees and vegetation, bosses at the organisation believe this can be reduced by as much as 2.5 degrees C.

Chair of Rics green infrastructure working group Paul Collins said allotments, parkland and gardens should be prioritised during city centre planning processes.

"It is crucial that the government, local authorities, developers and individual property owners give greater consideration to the benefits of green infrastructure," he commented.

London is the most obvious area where action to improve air quality and reduce the effects of climate change is a necessity and the City of London group recently launched a campaign to encourage businesses to be more energy efficient.

Posted by Joseph Hutton