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Discover the stories behind London’s iconic transport network. From the Tube to the Overground, climate action to international football and beyond, we speaks to guests who have personal connections with the system that keeps London moving - from engineers to celebrities, and musicians to designers.
The new series celebrates London Climate Action Week 2026, and features musician and zoologist Louis VI in conversation with the people making essential change happen in London, including Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Mete Coban, and TfL's Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer Lilli Matson.
Series three helped to mark the 25th anniversary of TfL, presenter Tim Dunn explains the incredible innovations, key moments, and behind-the-scenes stories with members of staff and guests including Heather Small, Olympian Pete Reed, Babatunde Aléshé, and DJ Jaguar.
Series two uncovered the significance of the new names for London’s Overground lines, and the incredible stories behind them, featuring guests including Lionesses Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly, chef and entrepreneur Levi Roots, campaigner Helen Pankhurst and many more.
Series one celebrated the 160th anniversary of the Tube, going into deep underground in detail on design, history, legacy and future. Tim Dunn spoke to incredible guests including Amy Lame, Wayne Hemingway, and Rylan himself - who we drove home for Christmas in a private driver's cab on a Central line train - in a special bonus episode (Rylan described it as his 'best day ever').
An official podcast from Transport for London.
When I was growing up in Kentish Town, North London, the climate and environment was something that we weren't really chatting about. It's not that we didn't care, it just felt like that was a side of London that wasn't necessarily for us. But as a musician and studying zoology, I soon realized the natural world can coexist with the city landscape. And the decisions that are made about London and how we connect to nature is gonna affect our future. I'm Louis Viei, and I try and connect people to nature through sound.
Speaker 1:This is Mind the Gap. I'm going to sit down at this beautiful tube station with Mehta Coban, the deputy mayor of the environment and energy, to chat about some of his amazing policies and some of his work to make this a cleaner, greener city for all, not just some of us. Mette, I'm really gassed to be speaking to you. Thanks so much for coming through. I've got so much to chat to you about, about TFL, about London, but I really wanna get to know your story first.
Speaker 1:You you grew up in in London, and you were what was the youngest councilor in Hackney at 21. What kinda led you to wanna bring about positive change in London and especially around climate and equality in this city?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Look. Mean, if I say this is like a proper way, isn't it? Like, we're, like, next to on a platform.
Speaker 1:It doesn't get more TFL than this, really, does it?
Speaker 2:It's very TFL vibes. It's getting very TFL. But now, look. I mean, I'm not really someone who kinda if I'm being honest, I really grew up thinking about the environment, but I also think that climate change doesn't impact everyone equally. And I think that when you look at what's happening around the world right now where it's the volatile volatile energy markets because we're dependent on fossil fuels and every time something happens around the world, it's working class Londoners, communities like mine who are paying higher prices because we're dependent on oil and gas.
Speaker 2:Or the fact that, you know, having access to a garden, for example, we can see loads of greenery, is a luxury for a lot of Londoners. Or the fact that, you know, we have half a million Londoners with stunted lungs, so many young people across our city. Like, I grew up with asthma, never been able to breathe the full capacity of the lung because of something that they didn't create in the first place. So for me, it's like sometimes you when you think about the environment, you're thinking these conversations weren't really meant to be for people like us to engage in, but actually, it's very much about our communities. And so I only got into it very later on in life.
Speaker 2:Like, I'll be honest with you. Like, maybe in my late twenties, started to think, oh, this thing called climate change, environment, why is this important? And then I was like, oh, wow. Like, we're really missing out here. And we're really being hard hard done by.
Speaker 2:And then he's thinking, okay. But who is the actual voice for people like us from these communities? And so that's when I started to take more keen interest in it.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I mean, it's it's a really it's a good point. I mean, I I set up something exactly because of that called nature ain't a luxury because it ain't it's a necessity, but exactly like, you know, we're not the typical environmentalist that you would see usually on the screen and throughout the ages, but it's our communities that we represent that are on the front line of it. Exactly as you say, I also got asthma, we've got a lot in common,
Speaker 2:both from North London. But it's both Arsenal fans.
Speaker 1:Both Arsenal fans. Come on. I really I really struggled to not put my shirt on today, but I didn't want to
Speaker 2:see together, man. Yeah. We should have just started make forget the mind the gap podcast. This should be like Arsenal TFL. Arsenal takes over TFL.
Speaker 1:I'm down, man. We'll make that happen next. Let's do
Speaker 2:it on
Speaker 1:the next one. It's so interesting because, yeah, we get exposed unequally to to the negative effects of climate change, to excess heat and to pollution. So where where does transport come into that for you? Okay, an interesting fact maybe that will go from it that I only just learned, I'm sure you've known, but TFL is one of the biggest landowners in London. So what can we do with that space to help make London better for people and our communities?
Speaker 2:I I think TFR has a huge role to play because actually when you talk about space when we were growing up in London, I think one of the special things about our city is is that, like, there was a real sense of belonging to your community, whether it was, like, your youth club, your estate, your community, like, going to your neighbor's home for dinner, you know, like, the playgrounds. And in some ways, I feel like people don't have that no more. Like, there's that's kind of like community isn't there no more, right, for all sorts of reasons that are, like, beyond and, you know, like, life is changing. Technology has changed a lot of things. Everything's changing.
Speaker 2:Right? And I think, you know, what we have a big duty to play in is is is that it's about how we democratize our public spaces to work for people. Yeah. And that's where I think TFL could play a huge role when it comes to thinking about actually, you know, we spent the centuries dewilding our city, disconnecting people from nature. And I think after the pandemic, people really grew to appreciate their green spaces, especially, like, if you're stuck in a tower block, for example, you don't have a garden, like, that has a huge impact on your mental health.
Speaker 2:And so I think there's a big role for, you know, for organizations like Tearfall to step up and say, okay. Do know what? Like, obviously, we're here to keep Londoners moving, but we also wanna do it in a way where we create a long term sustainable city. So, you know, TFO's role in cleaning our air in London has been transformational. You know?
Speaker 2:Like, we clean London's air 200 earlier than what experts predicted, for example. That now means, like, 10,000,000 Londoners are now breathing cleaner air because of direct TFO policies. And so your point about, like, the role that TFO can play is huge. Like, the work they're doing on energy I think TFO is, like, probably, if I'm being honest, like, the mayor's biggest kind of, like, I guess, like, lever in terms of, like, actually helping reach our wider environmental emissions.
Speaker 1:So, Mehta, your family moved here in the night you're seeking asylum. I was wondering if there's like is there a connection between what kind of triggered you to do your work and and and creating like a a space in the city and and a place that has a future for everyone? And is it connected to your story?
Speaker 2:Yeah. A 100%. Like, you know, when we first came here from Norfolk, was about two and a bit about going to three years old. And we were very lucky because when we came, I feel like the mood of the country is very different to what it is now.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:In a way where, you know, like, I feel like, you know, regardless of, like, national policies, there was a real sense of, like, community, of compassion, of love. Mhmm. But the world feels very different now. Very different. Right?
Speaker 2:And so for me, it's like, when we're thinking about what type of city do we want to build, and this is something that the mayor's very passionate about. When he's talking about delivering a fair and green in London, it's not just about, like, just there's one thing to deliver policies. Right? But how you deliver the policies is equally as important. Mhmm.
Speaker 2:And what I mean by that is is how do you create a sense of like sense of ownership over the mission you're trying to create across our city. Because actually, if you get the how you work with communities properly, then people will feel like they've got a stake in it. And then that's how you get the sense of belonging, and that's how you get the sense of, like, you know, like, this is actually my city. And then you know what? Like, all of these greenery and stuff that we have, you don't have to rely on TFO or your council or the city to come and look after it.
Speaker 2:Londoners themselves will do it. Because why? Because they feel like they've been part of the process of actually designing it and being involved in the inception of it. So I think all of those things go hand in hand. And for sure, it goes back to, like, you know, my story.
Speaker 2:It goes back to, you know, I got in politics very young. I was 21 when I was elected. I got into politics. I hated politics growing up. That's why I got into politics.
Speaker 2:If I'm honest, like, twelve, thirteen years on, I probably still hate politics. Yeah. And Yeah. I hated politics because for me, it was like, you know, like, I don't wanna be a politician that I grew up hating. How do we make sure that, you know, like, if I'm thinking about young Mette, young Louis, for example, like, what does the future for London look for them?
Speaker 1:Look. We're sitting here talking about t f l TFL during London Climate Action Week, and it's all good, we clearly get it. But what would you say to a 17 year old kid that grows up in Tottenham where I live that says they have no interest in climate change or what it would do to them. They have no concept. How do you how do you bring people like that on board that feels it doesn't apply to them?
Speaker 2:There's this mantra I always go by. If you don't do politics, politics will do you. Facts.
Speaker 1:Louder for those in the back.
Speaker 2:And that's because, you know, like, this is your city. Yeah. Yeah? For too long, too many of us have just accepted things to being done to us rather than actually, like, taking up our seat on the table. We don't have to be invited all the time.
Speaker 2:That was the choice that I made I I had, for example, when I was growing up. It's like it was a choice which was, you know what? Either you could just accept the way things are and just leave it and just complain about it. Or you could say, do you know what? Things are bad.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna get involved, try to do something about it. Also recognizing that you might not be able to fix it, but I'd rather be in the room trying to get what I can for my community. Mhmm. And so I think, you know, like, look, we live in the greatest city in the world. We're a city that is taking climate action very seriously.
Speaker 2:We here, like, whether it's me, whether it's Salik, or whether it's other politicians in London, we're here accountable to you. You literally pay our wages. We are elected by you to to like, you're here to hold us to account. So, you know, when you see us, Mateo, what's going on? Don't be afraid to ask those questions.
Speaker 2:You're not being impolite. You're literally like that is literally my job.
Speaker 1:Yeah. On that note, my brethrens would kill me if I didn't ask, can you make the Vicky line not so squeaky? And when is AC coming to the tube? Well, mean, jokes aside, with scientists saying that by 2050 about London could have the same climate as Barcelona. Yeah.
Speaker 1:What is TFL and and and what are you and Sadiq Khan doing to make sure that that London can adapt to that kind of future?
Speaker 2:Last year was the hottest year ever on record. Yeah? And our city isn't built to sort of cope with that level of heat. Climate change is impacting us here and now. Yeah?
Speaker 2:And the reality is is those who are younger children, those who've got underlying health conditions, are elderly, they're the ones who are gonna be suffering most. Or if you live in a council estate with, like, really bad damp and mold, your property is gonna be, like, really hot. For example How
Speaker 1:high you live on that council estate as well.
Speaker 2:And then in the winter, it will be very cold, and then you're gonna have to make a different choice between either heating or heating. So it occupies a big part of my mind. Mhmm. And so there's a number of things that we're doing. So there's some stuff in the immediate term, which is about making sure that, for example, Londoners have the like, know, we're adapting London.
Speaker 2:So part of that is about actually investing more and more into green spaces. So we created, like, the equivalent of 2,000 football pitch of green space across our city. Wow. More than six forty thousand trees, and and they're really important because they create shading. We're looking at more nature based solutions, so like beavers, for example.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And beavers are amazing because they build these, like, flood defenses. Yeah. And then also, like, water fountains. So we've got over a 100 water fountains, 4,000 water reflow points.
Speaker 2:We're doing a lot around the immediate term. And then we've like, a cool spaces map as well where Londoners could go over there and see where you can go keep cool, for example, where it's when it's hot. Yeah? Mhmm. Now in the long term, what we have to think about is how do we kinda, like, retrofit our existing buildings, so our older buildings that ain't built to cope.
Speaker 2:So that's, like, thinking about insulation. So they could be both cooler, but also warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. And also be more energy efficient as well, and they can save energy bills and money as well. We've got to be thinking about our transport system. So one of the things that me and Selic have been doing with TFL, has been, like, really successful is so we've got this power purchase agreement.
Speaker 2:So it's thinking about how we basically invest in renewable energy in the long term. We also recently announced a new solar private wire, which powers our tubes. So we spoke about Victoria Line. Yeah. It's the equivalent of basically powering 26,000 homes and powering the tube, the Vicki Line, nine months.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:Now we've still got a long more way to go, but what I'm trying to say is is that basically, TFL has a huge role to play in thinking about how we adapt to our city, how we think about energy generation, how we think about what does our stations look like. You know, like, earlier, about a week or two ago, I was at a visit at a Hat And Cross station. Again, not too far from here. We basically outside the station, we put loads of new ultra rapid chargers for, you know, like, your ambulances, like, near this near the airport, which is Heathrow Airport, or, like, your taxis, if they can go and charge their cars. And they can get around, and people can get around in a much more, you know, equitable and sustainable way.
Speaker 1:Something that I always say that kinda comes into my work is is, like, planetary health and our health go hand in hand. And with over 55% of us globally living in cities, it's only going to go up. It's alright speaking about rewilding in the countryside, but where the majority of people are is in cities, we need to talk about rewilding urban spaces. And I think exactly as you touched on before, urban centers have been almost antagonistic to the word nature. Doesn't need just because it's been that way doesn't mean it needs to be that way.
Speaker 1:I'm a musician, but I'm also a zoologist. So it goes without saying that, like, I'm gonna be really interested in biodiversity and how you're gonna bring nature in. As we touched on earlier, that TFL has got a massive amount of of land use in in London. And you mentioned the beavers. Listen.
Speaker 1:Shout out to beavers every time.
Speaker 2:Justin Bieber.
Speaker 1:Justin Bieber. The first that was the name of the first one, ain't it? I've heard white storts are also possibly coming back for the first time in six hundred years. What is other biodiversity? And tell us about about the white storts, but what are the other biodiversity targets that we can do to make London not just green, but biodiverse?
Speaker 2:It comes back to for who for me. Right? It's like if you think about London spatially, 47% of London is green. It's very green city.
Speaker 1:Very green.
Speaker 2:Yeah? But actually, only about 20% of it is accessible to the public.
Speaker 1:Where's the access today?
Speaker 2:So the question is about for who is it green? Right? Who has access to all of these, like, green spaces? And actually, sometimes, like, we get really obsessed by, like, by, like, big parks or, like, big things, and that's really important. Right?
Speaker 2:But it's also about how you change the look and feel of the city. Like, it's the little bits of interventions, but together, it makes a big difference. Now one of the things that I'm proud about London is we're the first national park city Yeah. In the world, 2019. One of four cities in the world.
Speaker 2:And a big part of what we're trying to do for you, what we call the green roots fund, so that's how we're funding more beavers, the white stalks coming back to London after six hundred years, is thinking about how do we empower local community groups. And it goes back to that point I was saying about how do you create that sense of ownership over of of London among communities. So rather than us being like, oh, we've got, like, five big project ideas. Me and Saleed's got five big project ideas. Saying, no.
Speaker 2:No. Look. Let's flip it. We'll provide the money. Yeah?
Speaker 2:You bid for, like, lots of projects. So we develop a pipeline of projects from our city, from community groups, from all all over all over London, all 42 boroughs of London. We can only do that by empowering local communities.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Something I think about a lot. So my work, I try and reconnect people to nature through sound, which sounds obvious as a musician, but, like, we are, as humans, we are all fluent in this language of nature because we all come from a long line of listeners. If if we didn't if our ancestors didn't listen, they wouldn't be here. So we are all the ones that survived because we knew how to listen to nature.
Speaker 1:And it's only in recent history that we've we've been living in cities and kind of followed this this path of, like, urbanization without nature, but it feels like everyone's waking up to that. Yeah. People with people like you and Sadeep in positions of power, I feel like we have a we have a chance. And I make music with field recordings, and it first off, we gotta get my field recordings playing at every every London Tuesday station.
Speaker 2:Let's go.
Speaker 1:Let's go get birdsong. But on a serious note, like, the sound of of of nature and the sound of birdsong doesn't just feel good to hear, but it actually has physiological Alright.
Speaker 2:Can I take mental picture? Yeah.
Speaker 1:Go ahead.
Speaker 2:When I first became deputy mayor, they took me to Croydon. Yeah. I think it was New Addington they took me to. There was, like, a nature reserve. And I went with London Wildlife Trust.
Speaker 2:So I went there. Shout out to London Wildlife Trust. Shout out to them.
Speaker 1:I'm an ambassador there, actually.
Speaker 2:Are you? Yeah. Yeah. They're sick. And we went on to the nature reserve, and David Mooney, who's the chief exec here Yeah.
Speaker 2:He's, like, standing next to me. He's talking. Arms on doubt at this point. And I go to him, like, David, one sec. One sec.
Speaker 2:Stop. One second. Yeah? And I was like, I don't mean to be rude. But I can't explain to you yet, but it was just a different level of like, calmness that I had.
Speaker 2:Just the kind of sound of nature. We all need that. It brought so much calm to my mental, like, well-being in that moment.
Speaker 1:We all need that, particularly people in in in poor areas, like, that don't have that immediate access to green spaces need it arguably the most. And it it exists. Nature's incredible. As soon as you give it a little, it it it comes back a lot. And, like, the dawn chorus this spring has been amazing even in London and what it I mean it lowers your cortisol levels, lowers your blood pressure all these mental health problems and also things like neurodiversity is so good for ADHD that and you know I have that too most of us so many of us have that.
Speaker 1:And natural sound does a lot.
Speaker 2:So the way you're articulating it is the way we need to think, which is sometimes I feel like we're too reactive to things on a day to day basis.
Speaker 1:So true.
Speaker 2:And when we think about this question about London, I think we've got a big picture. Because for a lot of people, it's like when you say something like that, the first thing will be like, it's a very British thing, ain't it? We're like, okay. Yeah. But like, if it hasn't been done like that before, how could we do it?
Speaker 2:Leave it. Let's just follow what we've
Speaker 1:done above the perfect.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And it's like Yeah. Yeah. Actually, no. We need to dream big because actually we're living in extraordinary times and no longer like all of these same solutions that we've had before.
Speaker 2:It's not working no more. Yeah. Do you know? And it's like we've got to think bigger. And also I think that like the whole nature and like the wider climate debate, we treat it as a separate conversation around standard of living or affordability.
Speaker 2:Affordability. And it's all one. Yeah. Sometimes, like, know, and this is what I think TFO does an incredible job around the visibility, and it could bring visibility about the actions we're taking. Yeah.
Speaker 2:And, like, you know, like, even, like, some of the stations where you see like the murals or all the things like a storytelling element and, you know, connecting people to their stations. Yeah. But also like, you know, as you can see with these like the greenery, like we've got loads of wildflower verges for example that TFO was putting out of bed. Like There's loads of good work that TFO is doing, and it kinda increases that kind of visibility. Right?
Speaker 2:But then your point is about, like, actually, this is about undoing the injustice that has been done for decades. We're not just doing this because we want to protect our planet. Of course, are because obviously, otherwise, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But also, why wouldn't you want to live in a city where you've better air quality? Yeah.
Speaker 2:Why wouldn't you want to live in a city where you've got more better access to green space? Why wouldn't you want to live in a city, for example, where you've got clean and greener energy which is cheaper for you? Why wouldn't you want to live in a city where actually it's a better place to live? You're not just living there to work. And that's the thing people always say, if you don't like it, go outside to a countryside where you can enjoy green.
Speaker 2:It's like, yeah, but not a lot of people have that choice. Yeah. My parents can't just say, oh, I'm going leave my social housing now. Yeah. Walk up, go rent or buy a property elsewhere.
Speaker 2:You can't just do that. Do you what I mean? So for a lot of people, it's like, we can't just accept these bad standards that we've accepted for too long. Like the fact that you feel brought up in one part of London because the air quality is bad in comparison to another one means that your life expectancy is gonna be lower.
Speaker 1:A lot lower.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That that's that how could that be? How are we comfortable with that? Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know? And so for me, it's like that point about justice needs to come through.
Speaker 1:And, I mean, there's a long list of things to talk about, whether it's from ULEZ to clean energy to drainage systems and electric buses. But for you, what are the things you think have been most important in in making real change for TFL, but also wider London?
Speaker 2:So, look, I think the work that TFL has done in terms of improving our air quality should not be understated. Yeah? Yeah. Like, London has always been the city that has always been known the city of pollution.
Speaker 1:Big smoke.
Speaker 2:Big smoke. Exactly. And when Saleek first got elected in 2016, expert scientists told him it's gonna take a hundred and ninety three years if we carry on the same way we are and don't change anything to clean our air. Right? We've achieved it in just nine years.
Speaker 1:Nine years.
Speaker 2:Nine years. That's crazy. Yeah. Now that's happened not because, you know, like, things just happen that way. It happened because, you know, firstly, we delivered the world's world's largest key measures on the ultra low emission zone.
Speaker 2:But we also, for example, supported Londoners with a scrappage scheme with the older cars, for example, where you can either get cash or get a new car, for example. 54,000 Londoners benefited from And that's, again, embedding social justice principles at the heart of our EULESS scheme. Yeah?
Speaker 1:Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Then you think about our zero emission buses, 3,000 emission buses. Or if you think about what we're doing around our black taxi fee, my dad's a cab driver, for example. Right? Yeah. 72% of our black taxi fee is zero emission capable.
Speaker 2:Or if you think about electric vehicle charging price, more than 28,000 electric vehicle chargers, for example. So, like, the work that TFO is doing is incredible because, actually, it's just like these are things that you could feel and see. It's like visibility. Like 100%. The work we're doing around improving more cycling infrastructure.
Speaker 2:It's like a lot of us here, like, know what is there? People get really like and you will understand this. When we were growing up, everyone cycles, isn't it? Like, you know, you cycle in the flats or whatever it is. Yeah.
Speaker 2:But then when as you get older, you see a lot of people not cycling no more. Why? Because it's like cycling to work, recycling in your, like, in your ends is different. Mhmm. Right?
Speaker 2:And the reason why is because people don't feel safe, for example. Yeah. And sometimes I feel like people always want to try create this this or that or just because you're pro cycling or you're anti car. It's like no. Like why shouldn't we live in a city where for example, if you do like cycling, you should also have the option.
Speaker 2:It's cheaper to travel. Yeah. And it's healthier for you. And I'll say this like respectfully. This is about congestion.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah. Now people like my dad, your plumbers, your electricians, people who need to drive.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Need it.
Speaker 2:Taxi drivers, buses. Right? If we had more people, for example, either taking buses, public transport, or cycling, reducing traffic. Do know what I mean? That means that people who need to drive, working people, get around much more quicker.
Speaker 2:Instead, they're stuck in traffic because, basically, we've got excess cars here in London. And then, obviously, that contributes to air quality and all that sort stuff. But it's not about being this or that. Like, we need to stop this culture of, like, just because you're pro cycling, you're anti car or Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Because your pro car is at me, you're anti cycling. No. It's like like, why can't we have the best buses, zero emission buses, the best zero emission taxis or cars, loads of cycle lanes, all of this. And I think that's what TFR was trying to do. Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know, I love cycling from back in
Speaker 2:the day
Speaker 1:and the ends where you'd backing all your people. But to now, it's just it's a beautiful way to get around and
Speaker 2:Do know what I can't do, though? I don't know if you remember this. Yeah. You know, like, we used to have, like, BMX bikes? Yeah.
Speaker 2:So I used to have BMX bikes, and you can cycle, like, standing. Yeah. I can't do that no more, man. Really? Yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm like you know, like, when I was younger, I was like, how was that so good at doing it now? And if I tried to do it now, it just don't work.
Speaker 1:Cycle safe, helmets and everything. Don't be too cool for a helmet.
Speaker 2:And knee pads.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's too far. That's too far for me. When we're thinking about climate change, there's obviously massive milestones coming, particularly for you guys, for TFL, reducing emissions, zero emission bus fleet, biodiversity net gain, and also the big one, is getting net zero greenhouse gas emissions across all operations by 2040. But, yeah, I mean, that's a lot. I wonder if it keeps you awake at night.
Speaker 1:But what what is it that you're excited about
Speaker 2:now? Yeah. So look. I mean, sometimes when you got these, like, strategies and targets, you forget that what you're talking about ultimately is, again, that point about the type of city we wanna build and about people. Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Right? So there's two things that I'm working on right now, but I think that is very exciting. And I think you've got to sometimes take things out of step without like I said, so what are the things we can do now? Like, the first thing is, how do we work with Londoners? So, obviously, today, for example, or this week, you know, we've got the the London Climate Action Week, of course.
Speaker 2:And as part of that, we've got Youth Summit. And that's basically around how do we work with young Londoners in a way to shape London's climate action plan. And that's really important because I think youth boys is such an important part of that. This is the generation who's gonna be most impacted by the decisions that we take now. You know, ten, fifteen years later on, they're gonna be like, what sort of city or planet did you leave us?
Speaker 2:What we announced this week is also London's new heat plan. London's new heat plan is looking at, for example, the health sector, the built environment, transport, all of these different areas. So TFL feeds into it as well. And it's basically thinking about how do we adapt London to the heat pressures that we're gonna start seeing in London. So how do we make sure that workers, for example, whilst you're out working, you're working in safer conditions?
Speaker 2:Or how do we think about, for example, you know, Londoners who live on our estates or whatever it is, you know, are able to enjoy our city, continue enjoying our city overheating and obviously all the negative health impacts that come with that as well. So these are two things that I think that we're working on just this week alone that I think in the long term will have a big difference.
Speaker 1:I wanna transport your mind to London fifteen years or so from now. So it's like 2041. What does it feel like? What does it sound like if everything you're planning and trying to do comes to reality? Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. What is London then?
Speaker 2:So the first thing is by 2041, I would have liked to seen Arsenal win a number 15 Premier League titles.
Speaker 1:Don't know.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Don't know. So that would be great. Easily. Champions League under our belt as well.
Speaker 2:That would be amazing. No. But, look, in all seriousness, you know, air quality I spoke about, which is really important, you know, we wanna make sure that our hospital GP admissions are down related to respiratory health issues caused by pollution. We wanna make sure that the point that you were making earlier about actually how do we change the look and feel of the city by investing more into green spaces. So nature doesn't become a luxury, but actually something that all Londoners can enjoy, whether it's in terms of sound, whether it's in terms of, like, being able to see it or being able to access it.
Speaker 2:We wanna make sure that Londoners aren't, you know, impacted by volatile fossil fuel market prices. And so as many as much as we can do to make London fossil fuel free by investing more in renewable energy. So, actually, we've got cheaper energy, affordable energy, but also it's good for our environment and thinking about our public assets as well. How do we create a sense of, like, also, you know, London is feeling like more community energy groups, more community groups. That's the sort of London that I wanna see in 2041.
Speaker 2:There's only so much we can do. Mhmm. Yeah? Like, in order for us to be successful, we need people like you. We need your ideas.
Speaker 2:So I guess, like, the call to action I've got to people watching this as well, including to yourself, is is, like, if you've got ideas, what can I do to help you enable you that can help contribute to that '24 in the one vision that we're just talking about?
Speaker 1:Yeah. Well, there's definitely talk and make that happen. And, Mehta, it's been an absolute pleasure, Majdi. Can't wait to receive my unlimited Oyster card in the post.
Speaker 2:I didn't even get one. Damn. Yeah. Yeah. Damn.
Speaker 2:Damn. I knew I didn't want I'll ask them for you.
Speaker 1:Thank But you so much for today, man. It's been a pleasure, baba.
Speaker 2:No. Thank you, man. Likewise. Appreciate it. Mind
Speaker 1:Mind The Gap. Is Mind The Gap, the official podcast from TFL. I've been the guest presenter at Louis Viei, and I've been just having the best conversation with Mette Coban. We chatted about community, how we can make this city more green for all, and just the future policies, but also energy that we can bring to this conversation of how to make the natural world more part of this, let's be honest, the best city in the world. It's London Climate Action Week, so find out more that's going on.
Speaker 1:And if you want more information, look at the show notes. Thanks for listening.