What is Richmond Council doing?

The London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames is committed to becoming the most sustainable borough in London. We have made tackling climate change a priority and seek to set a clear and consistent lead in promoting sustainable development.

Climate Change

• Richmond Council has signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change, a voluntary pledge to address the issues surrounding climate change.
• Richmond Council has adopted a Climate Change Strategy(pdf, 95KB) and set an ambitious target to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide from our buildings, fleet travel and street lighting. The strategy sets out a range of measures to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions including improving insulation, switching to energy saving measures such as sensor controlled lighting, buying green fuels and installing renewable energy technologies.
• In April 2008 42 solar panels were installed on the roof of the Civic Centre in Twickenham saving around three tonnes of CO2 per year. A live display in the reception area shows how much energy is being generated.
• Using an invest to save loan, a number of Council properties have improved their energy efficiency, also helping to reduce their bills. For example, Teddington Pool and Fitness Centre has had automated lighting, a combined heat and power unit installed and voltage optimisation, which together have helped to reduce its electricity consumption by at least 25%.
• The Greener Richmond Partnership has been set up to act on climate change and other environmental issues together with partners in the local business, housing, transport, public, voluntary and community sectors.
• The Sustainability Unit has produced Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for Council offices, schools, libraries and other public buildings.

Transport

• In March 2009 the Richmond upon Thames Smarter Travel scheme was launched in the borough to cut down the number of car trips to school, work or leisure destinations to reduce congestion, air pollution and CO2 emissions. The scheme has now concluded, but achievements made during the second year are outlined in the Annual Monitoring and Evaluation Report, found on Richmond's Smarter Travel page.
• Air pollution is monitored across the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Richmond Council is taking part in a London wide air quality information service, called airTEXT, to help people who are at risk from high levels of air pollution. airTEXT works by sending FREE air pollution alerts via text message, emails or voice mail.
• In November 2008 there was a special public launch of 'air pollution-aware walking routes' in West London which is available online at at walkit.com. For more information contact the Special Projects Team at specialprojects@richmond.gov.uk.

Waste and Recycling

• The Council has extended its recycling collection service to allow residents whether they live in flats or houses to recycle mixed containers including glass, cans and plastic containers such as bottles, plastic food trays, yoghurt pots and mixed paper, cardboard and cartons. As a result recycling is even easier and monthly recycling levels are now above 40% - higher than they have ever been

Sustainable Procurement

• Paper supplies and office furniture are procured through the UK Government Timber Procurement policy provided by DEFRA; a framework agreement which only uses suppliers who source wood and paper products from sustainably managed forests.