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Conservative candidate Boris Johnson

LONDONERS have just a day before they choose who will be the next mayor and green issues remain an important part of the policies of the most high-profile candidates.

Ken Livingstone, the Labour Party's candidate, pledges to tackle climate change by introducing a £25-a-day congestion zone charge on high polluting vehicles and abolishing charges for the greenest cars, with a London-wide low emission zone to keep the worst polluting lorries out of the capital.

He will also put 500 diesel/electric hybrid buses on the capital's roads by 2010, add 12 cycling highways into central London and 15 bike zones around town centres.

Mr Livingstone said: "Looking after London's overall environment is central to improving Londoners' quality of life, which is also why we have strengthened planning laws to protect and improve parks and open spaces, invested in tackling litter, and instituted widespread doorstep collection of recycling."

Tory candidate Boris Johnson promises to protect open spaces by working with councils to ensure they are safe and pristine.

He will also plant more street trees.

Mr Johnson pledges to ban plastic bags, encourage more recycling and take a zero tolerance approach to littering and graffiti.

He says he will provide 10,000 more bike stands and consider allowing bikes to turn left at red traffic lights.

Ken Livingstone will stand again for mayor

Mr Johnson also opposes a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

He said: "Our environment has an enormous impact on our sense of wellbeing, and it is vital we cherish our city and strive to make it cleaner and greener."

The green dream of Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick is to plant thousands of new trees in London's urban areas.

He wants to increase access to recycling services for residents and, by reviewing the number of traffic lights in central London, he hopes to ease traffic congestion.

Mr Paddick also opposes Mayor Ken Livingstone's low emission zone and will replace it with a new congestion zone on the outskirts of London to target long-distance commuters.

Under this scheme, drivers entering the Greater London areabetween 7am and 10am from Monday to Friday will have to pay £10.

Mr Paddick said: "I will make London the greenest capital in Europe.

"By cutting congestion on our roads, we will cut carbon emissions and improve air quality for all."

Sian Berry, the Green Party's candidate, is pushing to improve the rail service, making it a cheaper and greener alternative to airport expansion.

A 20p cut in bus fares and an expansion in car clubs are among her proposals for transport in London.

She also says free insulation would be installed in homes to reduce carbon emissions.

Ms Berry said: "My campaign will show, if done right, fighting climate change saves, not costs, money."

The London mayoral elections as well as elections for the London Assembly will be held tomorrow.

For more information and a list of all the candidates, visit londonelects.org.uk

Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick

Green Party candidate Sian Berry

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