Previous estimates of London's tree cover were based on statistical sampling. This new analysis is based on high-resolution aerial imagery and artificial intelligence and claims to be approximately 94% accurate. It will be used to pinpoint exactly where trees are and which parts of London should be targeted for tree planting projects.
The Mayor has committed to increasing tree canopy cover by 10 per cent by 2050. Considering even just the impact of climate change to be absorbed over that time scale, this does not seem a very ambitious target. Currently, London has about one tree per inhabitant and a tree canopy covering around 21 per cent of the capital’s land area.
See the map in its entirety at https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/trees-and-woodlands/tree-canopy-cover-map. The map is a European Space Agency funded project, produced by Breadboard Labs in collaboration with the Greater London Authority.