Communication, engagement, and partnership

Engagement and partnerships are central to our climate action plan. We work with residents, businesses, and partners to reduce carbon emissions and create an environmentally sustainable borough.

Our community engagement approach aims to promote positive behaviour change with meaningful and lasting impacts and provides real resources and funding to support residents.

"Partnerships between governments, the private sector, multilateral institutions and civil society will be essential to ensure we meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Paris Climate Agreement targets." - World Economic Forum

Climate action microgrants

Our climate action microgrant scheme, launched in March 2024, was designed to empower community groups and residents to contribute to making Wandsworth a net zero borough by 2043.

So far, 35 projects have received microgrants totalling £15,176.88, with 22 projects completed and over 3,000 attendees.

Applications for the 2025 microgrants are now open! Find out how to apply for a microgrant.

You can email togetheronclimatechange@wandsworth.gov.uk with any questions about the microgrant scheme.

Wandsworth Sustainability Network

The Wandsworth Sustainability Network (WSN), established in 2021, brings together people in Wandsworth for talks, discussions, and collaboration on sustainability.

Meeting three times a year, WSN covers themes like biodiversity, retrofit, adaptation, and resilience. Local experts speak at a number of locations around the borough including the the University of Roehampton, Battersea Arts Centre, Battersea Ironsides Rugby Club, and Providence House.

You can sign up for the next event on Eventbrite. Future events will also be promoted through our climate newsletter

Air quality engagement

We have two teams of voluntary Air Quality Ambassadors:

  • The school team focuses on engagement, education, and awareness in schools
  • The community team works on independent projects in the local community, supported by local ambassadors and air quality officers

Activities and outputs include:

  • Working with businesses to reduce indoor air pollution
  • Engaging and raising awareness in the community
  • Connecting air quality to climate change
  • Campaigning for cleaner air
  • Citizen science volunteers monitoring local air quality by recording NO2 data monthly
  • Schools' engagement, awareness, and air quality assessments

Find out how to sign up to be an Air Quality Ambassador.

Air Quality Citizen's Assembly

In 2023, 10,600 randomly chosen addresses received invitations to join the Air Quality Citizen's Assembly, aiming for at least 50 participants. Out of 311 interested people, 52 were selected to reflect the local population density.

The assembly had 48 regular members who voted on final recommendations for the Wandsworth Citizen’s Assembly on Air Quality Report.

Sustainable September

Sustainable September was a month celebrating and championing local sustainability initiatives in Wandsworth.

It showcased community efforts to tackle climate change and protect nature. There we over 60 free events, including art workshops, bat walks, repair cafes and planting sessions.

23 events were funded by the microgrants programme, totalling £3,530. 

Events were delivered through collaboration between teams from, climate change and sustainability, air quality, transport, waste, and arts.

Extensive promotion included double crowns, digital boards, community groups, newsletters, and social media.

Event highlights

  • Happy Home’s climate awareness workshop at Balham Library had 150 attendees
  • A circular economy webinar during London Circular Economy Week had 70 participants
  • Southfields Harvest Festival brought the local community together for a range of sustainability events
  • The evening bat walk was sold out

Promoting the Library of Things

We teamed up with the social enterprise Library of Things to open a new location in Southside Shopping Centre.

We promote the location through:

  • Our monthly climate newsletter
  • Our communications channels
  • Climate events

The Library of Things has been a success in Wandsworth. It is currently one of the top three performing locations in the UK on a weekly basis.

Climate newsletter

A monthly climate newsletter is sent out and has 3,000 people subscribed to date.

Sign up to the climate newsletter

Mock COP

A mock COP was held in November 2024 to engage secondary schools in Wandsworth around the global COP29 event.

Hosted at the RCA and facilitated by the InterClimate Network, it brought together students from St John Bosco College and Graveney School. Students were divided into country groups and negotiated on behalf of their assigned countries regarding climate change issues.

  • 86% of students left with a better understanding of how we are taking climate action
  • 86% left with a better understanding of how they can take climate action
  • 88% now feel more confident to share their concerns and ideas about climate change to others (e.g., politicians, school leaders, family, and community)

Student feedback

"I like connecting with other people in our community about saving the environment."

"I enjoyed having questions answered and the way the panel related all they said back to us."

"Meeting the faces behind all the environmental work in my community."

Greening Your Business programme

The Greening Your Business programme is open to businesses in Wandsworth.

The scheme offers energy and sustainability audits for businesses, recommends actions to reduce energy use and improve sustainability, and provides access to the GreenMark environmental management system.

The programme has seen excellent participation, with 41 organisations signed up and 23 audits completed, resulting in action plans.