Global factors influencing the future of the tidal Thames

The Port of London Authority is joining London Climate Action Week (LCAW) with a webinar debate about the global factors set to influence the future of the tidal Thames.

The tidal Thames is home to the UK’s biggest port, busiest inland waterway, a haven for wildlife, and a centre for sport, recreation and culture. Its future at the heart of a low carbon economy, climate resilient, offering equity in opportunity and access are expected to be at the heart of its long-term future. This will be reflected in the updated river development framework, Thames Vision 2050, which the PLA is working on with stakeholders.

The Thames Vision covers the 95 miles of tidal river from Teddington Lock to the North Sea. The PLA released the original Vision, covering twenty years to 2035 in summer 2016, after 18 months of development. The update, out to 2050 is needed to reflect accelerating climate change response, changing trading relationships with the rest of the world and the pandemic driving unprecedented social and economic change across our cities.

Panellists on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 webinar – part of the initial public engagement for the Thames Vision update – include:

• Juliet Mien, Technical Director, Resilience Shift
• Emma Page, Head of Sustainability, University of Exeter
• Joe Borg, Lloyd’s Register
• Dr Tim Moonen, Managing Director, The Business of Cities

The panel’s initial interventions will touch on sustainability, resilience, global city development and evolving ship technology, to set up a debate centred on audience questions.

“With London Climate Action Week’s focus on harnessing the power of London for global climate action, this webinar is ideally timed,” explained PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer. “We expect to touch on key themes for the climate action week, including a green, fair and resilient recovery, whole society climate action and a sustainable, net-zero development.

“The Port of London is inextricably linked to the city it serves. Our goal is to support development of a low emission port and river, with opportunity, access and equity at its heart. The webinar will be open to all and provide insights about the global factors set to influence the future of the river and shaping the new Vision for the Thames.”