Acting local, thinking global: Accelerating Richmond’s climate action

Running from 21 to 29 June, London Climate Action Week brings together climate organisations and communities across the capital to inspire conversations and accelerate global action.

Although we’re only halfway through the year, Richmond upon Thames is already making strong progress in tackling climate change - reflecting the spirit of London Climate Action Week and its call to decarbonise faster and build resilience together. 

A standout milestone is the £7 million grant we secured from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, supporting our ambitious net zero target. We were awarded a top 'A' grade for climate action by international environmental body CDP - one of only five local authorities in London, and just 112 cities worldwide, to achieve this recognition. 

But our journey to a greener borough doesn’t stop there. 

At our recent twinning anniversary celebrations, we reaffirmed our commitment to global cooperation. Our twin towns, Konstanz and Fontainebleau, are also tackling climate challenges head-on. Together, we’re sharing learning and strengthening partnerships to support stronger, more coordinated action. 

Here in Richmond upon Thames, we’re also celebrating the power of community. Last week, we hosted our first-ever Cargo Bike Fair, where hundreds of residents came together to explore sustainable travel. It was a brilliant day of discovery, with many trying out the test track and experiencing the benefits of cargo bikes first-hand. 

We'll soon be launching our new Climate and Nature Strategy, placing a strong emphasis on supporting residents and businesses to reduce carbon emissions from their properties, developing specific, local approaches to retrofit, and supporting the development of green skills. We'll also be implementing plans to sustain important local habitats and species, and increase the resilience of local communities to the impacts of a changing climate, such as extreme summer temperatures, or flood risk following heavy rainfall. 

We’re also stepping up efforts to reduce waste and promote reuse. From the borough-wide rollout of food waste recycling to our popular Mega Skip Days, we’re investing in services to help residents make more sustainable choices. 

Finally, if you're looking for inspiration, I encourage you to visit Orleans House Gallery for the Cultural Reforesting exhibition.   Through striking artwork, it powerfully communicates the urgency of global challenges, shares stories of their impact on communities and environments, and invites us to think differently and take meaningful action, while also highlighting the benefits of doing so. 

Together, we can shape a more sustainable future for our borough, and for the generations to come. 

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