Towering new E.ON-backed mural is a rallying cry for fair play – with nature

As thousands of rugby fans descended on Twickenham for the Six Nations earlier this month, they were met with something new towering over London Road: a colossal, breathtaking mural with a message bigger than sport itself.

The 30-metre-high masterpiece, emblazoned on Regal House, isn’t just street art.

It’s also a battle cry for nature, urging Londoners to rethink their relationship with the rivers, wetlands and ecosystems keeping the city alive.

Titled N6tur3, the mural is the latest addition to the global #EcosystemRestorationMurals project – a decade-long initiative by Street Art for Mankind in partnership with the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Created by the acclaimed Italian street artist Vesod, the artwork fuses classical elegance with futuristic vision, depicting an anthropomorphic willow tree intertwined with London’s urban landscape.

Kingfishers, herons, badgers, and water voles – residents of the nearby Thames and River Crane waterway – dart through the composition, reinforcing the interconnectedness of city life and nature.

But this isn’t just about pretty pictures.

It’s a stark reminder our freshwater ecosystems are collapsing at an alarming rate.

According to UNEP, freshwater habitats are disappearing faster than any other type of ecosystem, strangled by pollution, habitat destruction and climate change.

Yet, as the organisation highlights, 81% of cities could dramatically improve their water quality simply by taking better care of their surrounding environments.

Powering change beyond energy

Backing this initiative is E.ON, a funding partner of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

It is yet another sign of our pivot from fossil fuels to a focus on sustainable infrastructure – including investment in rewilding efforts, with restoring habitats beneath power lines one of the key elements of the drive.

Scott Somerville, E.ON UK’s Director of External Affairs, said about the installation of the mural: “We’re here to be the playmaker that brings everyone together for real impact. We believe making new energy work means finding and rallying organisations that share our values – so we can collectively raise awareness and spark meaningful change in every one of our communities.”

By supporting murals such as N6tur3, E.ON is taking its sustainability commitments beyond energy infrastructure and into public consciousness, using art as a vehicle for advocacy and action.

A capital city built on water – and how it’s at risk

Londoners might not think of their city as particularly watery, but its lifeblood is a vast network of rivers and wetlands.

The Thames, once biologically dead, has seen a revival thanks to decades of conservation efforts.

However, many of the capital’s smaller rivers – including like the Wandle, Brent and Lea – still struggle under the weight of pollution and urban encroachment.

Twickenham, nestled along a crucial stretch of the Thames, is a fitting location for this eco-conscious mural.

The borough of Richmond upon Thames boasts an impressive conservation history, home to some of the UK’s oldest oak trees and protected wetlands that serve as vital refuges for declining species.

This mural serves as both a celebration of that legacy and a warning: without continued action, London’s rivers and biodiversity could be lost once again.

From rugby to restoration: why the mural really matters

Strategically positioned near Twickenham Stadium – where England took on Italy in the Six Nations on March 9 – the mural is set to be seen by millions of sports fans each year.

It’s a clever play: just as rugby demands teamwork and strategy, so does ecosystem restoration.

As Richmond Council’s Julia Neden-Watts puts it: “We are thrilled Twickenham was chosen as the location for this stunning Global Ecosystem Restoration Mural in London. Here in Richmond upon Thames, we have a proud history of protecting our rivers and parks, and our work is ongoing to enhance our local ecosystems. This large mural in the heart of Twickenham reminds us of our connection and commitment to nature. Healthy rivers and outdoor spaces are not just places for recreation, they are a testament to the vitality of the natural world.”

The mural is also part of a much bigger global push.

Neville Ash, Director of the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, warned: “We are only as healthy as the nature that surrounds us. That is why countries agreed on a Global Biodiversity Framework, guiding our actions for nature. Importantly, the framework calls on us to protect 30% of natural ecosystems and restore another 30% by 2030. This goal includes terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. If we do not take care of our rivers, we gamble with our health, economic prosperity and well-being of future generations.”

Art meets action

Public art has long been a catalyst for change, and the N6tur3 mural is no exception.

Beyond the striking visuals, it invites interaction.

A free mobile app, Behind the Wall, allows passersby to scan the mural and dive into an audio guide featuring insights from the artist, environmental experts and campaigners.

But what happens once crowds like the one that amassed at Twickenham for the Six Nations crowds disperse?

The hope is that the mural’s message lingers, prompting locals and visitors alike to push for greener policies, cleaner rivers and a future where London is not just a city on water – but a city in harmony with it.

As Vesod’s vibrant willow tree stretches skyward, so does the call to action that goes with the mural: protect, restore and rethink our urban ecosystems.

As Li Lifeng, Director of the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Land and Water Division, puts it: “Healthy and functioning rivers, wetlands, and other ecosystems are essential for food production, water security, and climate resilience. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a worldwide initiative that everyone can contribute to and benefit from. Together, our concerted restoration efforts will ensure a future where lives and humanity can thrive.”

In other words – when it comes to nature, fair play isn’t optional.