a wave mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a £3.1m tree-planting package in the wake of record-breaking temperatures and bushfires in the capital.
The City of London said the funding would target areas with low numbers of existing trees and where people are most vulnerable to climate change.
Mr Khan said last week’s events have “made public how vulnerable London is to the effects of climate change”.
“The climate emergency is the greatest global threat we face today and we know it does not affect all Londoners equally, with communities facing poverty, deprivation and health inequality more likely to experience the worst effects of flooding, overheating and experiencing poor air quality.
“As mayor, I will continue my bold move to preserve and increase tree coverage in the capital, while building a better, greener and more sustainable London for all.”
It comes after the head of London Fire Brigade, Andy Roesaid the fires in the capital last week were unprecedented: “I saw things this week that I did not expect as a firefighter in London.”
The fire service had its busiest day since World War II due to extreme temperatures, with crews attending 1,146 incidents in a single day.
The mayor’s project is an effort to reduce an ‘urban heat island’ effect, where the heat in cities is amplified by a lack of trees and greenery.
A “climate vulnerability map” unveiled by Mr Khan found that areas of London with black, Asian and ethnic minorities over 50% were more likely to face greater climate risk – including flooding, toxic air, heat risk and limited access to green space.
The new package included a supplement of £800,000 for a community grant scheme, £1million for street trees, £320,000 for tree packs for community groups and schools, and £1million to create shady groves in high heat risk areas.