London's 1000 most influential people 2010: Environment

The Prince of Wales, Campaigner
The heir to the throne is arguably Britain's most influential green, attacking the "pseudo-science" of climate change sceptics, while his Highgrove garden is a monument to organic goodness. The carbuncle-hating Prince Charles backs the Foundation for the Built Environment and can torpedo projects, as was proved at Chelsea Barracks.

John Sauven, Greenpeace, director
Long-time activist who still believes in the power of protest. After successful effort to oppose a third runway at Heathrow airport, Sauven's team mounted a stunt to close BP petrol stations across the capital to protest about their environmental record and the Gulf of Mexico leak.

Caroline Lucas, Green Party, leader
Britain's first Green Party MP, elected in Brighton in May, is a popular, self-deprecating figure. She has clout not only on national stage but also in London, where the Greens have called for congestion charge to be doubled and opposed bus fare rises.

Sir David Attenborough, Broadcaster
Octogenarian broadcaster has a passionate moral belief in the sanctity of the environment and burns with surprising anger about mankind's behaviour. There is no other presenter on TV who can grab the nation's attention. His latest series has been on the origins of life on earth.

Sir Nicholas Stern, London School of Economics, IG Patel Chair
The academic and former chief economist of the World Bank authored a landmark 2006 government report into the economic impact of climate change which still reverberates. Made recent headlines when he said rearing meat was worse for the environment than producing a vegetarian diet.

Isabel Dedring, Mayor's adviser on climate
Multilingual former lawyer, who has previously worked as director of policy at Transport for London, can claim some credit for the Boris bike scheme. Has ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions across London — while still axing the western congestion charge at the end of 2010.

Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond
Dashing former editor of the Ecologist magazine is one of the capital's most high-profile greens — although his eventful private life is an occasional distraction. Zac and brother Ben have both used their inheritance from their late father Sir James to back eco-investments.

Sir Jonathon Porritt, Sustainable Development Commission, chairman
Grandee of the eco-movement and founder of Ecology Party, the precursor to Greens. He advises everyone from Prince Charles to Marks and Spencer on sustainability. Described George Osborne's Comprehesive Spending Review as an "outright failure" in environmental terms.

Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Adviser
An international expert in renewable food, Beddington was appointed in 2008 and is the personal adviser on all matters scientific to the Prime Minister. Has warned of the dangers of food and energy shortages.

Lord Smith, Environment Agency, chairman
Chris Smith, ex-culture secretary and Britain's first openly gay MP, has opposed Heathrow expansion and caused controversy when he claimed that some areas of Britain's coastline would be lost to erosion as a result of global warming. Also chairs Advertising Standards Authority.

Colin Matthews, British Airports Authority, chief executive
The man who keeps London's busiest airport Heathrow running smoothly and has to cope when ash cloud, terror alerts, strikes and other surprises pop up. He is hiking charges on airlines to encourage them to fly newer planes with more passengers to cut pollution.

John Stewart, Hacan Clearskies, campaigner
Long-serving leader of the main pressure group opposing Heathrow expansion, Stewart is building on the success of the foiled third runway by calling for a block on any further increase in plane flights into London. Has slammed the building of a high-speed rail line as a "white elephant".

Franny Armstrong, 10:10 campaigner
Documentary film-maker who directed The Age of Stupid and McLibel was the instigator of the 10:10 campaign, which aims to cut UK carbon emissions by 10 per cent by end of 2010. The former indie band drummer has persuaded hundreds of businesses to cut their emissions.

Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth, London co-ordinator
Seasoned environmental campaigner has worked tirelessly to prevent expansion of City Airport. Less successful in opposing the Mayor's axing of the western congestion charge zone. She claims abolition of M4 bus lane at Heathrow will raise emissions.

Tim Lang, City University, professor of food policy
Britain's foremost expert in food and its environmental impact who is credited with coining the phrase "food miles". Criticised Government plan to axe the Food Standards Agency, suggesting Tory thinking is "ideological", not evidence-based. Has also been a trustee of Friends of the Earth.

Mark Constantine, Lush cosmetics, founder
Runs what is billed as Britain's last major independent green company, makers of eco-friendly soaps and cosmetics. Constantine and wife Mo have been long-time financial backers of ethical causes.

Tom Delay, Carbon Trust, chief executive
Runs the government-backed body, which makes Dragons Den-style investments in green start-up firms. In the face of austerity cuts, Delay is focusing on smaller, younger eco-businesses.

James Cameron, Climate Change Capital, executive director
A former lawyer who worked on Kyoto Protocol, Cameron is involved in £1 billion fund manager that invests in "clean-tech" industry. Close to David Cameron (no relation), sitting on No 10 business council, and on Oxfam's development board.

Jeremy Leggett, Solarcentury, founder
Ex-oil industry geologist who became so worried about global warming he set up Waterloo-based Solarcentury, now the UK's fastest-growing solar company, which makes innovative "photo-voltaic" roof tiles. Well-connected politically and lobbied intensively to stop George Osborne cutting tax benefits for solar.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Chef and eco-campaigner
Former journalist and TV chef has been a long-term campaigner for organic food, building a River Cottage empire. His TV shows have included an investigation into cruelty in the chicken farming industry. Britain's most caring carnivore.

Tamsin Omond, Campaigner
Anti-air travel activist who memorably stormed Parliament to protest about global warming in 2008. Last month she invaded various newspaper offices. Baronet's granddaughter failed in bid to be independent MP in Hampstead at general election.

Rosie Boycott, London Food, chair
Ex-newspaper editor is responsible for trying to make the capital's food consumption more sustainable. Plans include buying up disused land in the capital and converting it into vegetable plots. Recently launched a monthly "real food" market on the South Bank.

Click here to return to The One Thousand main page

Find The 1000 iPad App by searching ES Magazine in the iTunes App store.