Cooling and pollution benefits of vegetation

The cooling shade of trees saved the UK at least £248 million in 2017 and, by removing pollution, vegetation saved 1,238 years of life that year, according to the latest set of natural capital accounts from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The natural capital accounts set out the estimated value of the natural assets in the UK and the value of the ‘services’ they provide. Creating these accounts is a relatively new part of the ONS’s work and is still developing.  In this era of fake news and hyperbole it is heartening that the contribution that green infrastructure and other natural assets makes to the UK’s economy is being carefully measured and recorded: it’s importance can’t be underestimated.