Wandsworth recognised with top climate action accolade

Climate action leadership at Wandsworth Council has been awarded a top ‘A’ grade – one of just five authorities in London to receive the highest score.

The accolade from international environmental body, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), has been awarded to just 112 cities worldwide in this year’s climate action listings.

Environmental impact non-profit CDP bases its A-rating on actions including being transparent about climate change responses, completing climate risk and vulnerability assessments, publishing a climate action plan and setting science-based climate targets.

The prestigious rating comes as Wandsworth has been charging ahead with its commitment to becoming a carbon net zero borough by 2043.

It is the third year in a row that Wandsworth has received the top grade, which was awarded to only 15 per cent of almost 1,000 cities and regions that disclosed critical climate data. 

Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, said the top grade demonstrated the council’s commitment to transparency around its work on taking meaningful and measurable climate action.

“We are delighted to have received an A rating from CDP for the third year in a row as we are committed to taking genuine steps on climate action,” he said.

“From our work on air quality and biodiversity improvements, to promoting active travel and more energy efficient homes, we are making positive progress.

“We will continue to strive to take action on the climate through long term commitment and partnership with our communities and organisations.”

Highlights from the past year

• Secured a £4.5m external grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to enable us to make five of our buildings, including Putney Leisure Centre, more sustainable and cut energy use by 92%.
• Funded 35 projects through our Climate Action Microgrants Scheme, and expanded the programme for 2025/2026.
• Our air quality monitoring shows that almost all areas are within national standards for nitrogen dioxide, and we want to keep improving.
• 110 additional bikehangar spaces installed, bringing the total to over 1,300 as part of London’s largest bikehangar installation programme with even more planned.
• 1,000 new trees planted, along with other biodiversity enhancements across parks.
• Seven parks achieved Green Flag status, and Wandsworth was spotlighted by Good Parks for London for 'supporting nature'.
• Over 40 businesses supported to become more sustainable through the Making Businesses Greener Scheme.
• Over 1,400 EV charging points and 50% of primary schools benefitting from car-free school streets.
• 90% reduction in carbon emissions from the council’s new waste collection fleet and food waste collections are due to reach almost every home in Wandsworth this year, as part of our Cleaner Borough Plan
• Wandsworth’s first-ever Sustainable September engaged over 4,500 attendees across 69 community-led climate action events.

Priorities for the year ahead

This year, we are making it a priority to work on retrofitting – improving existing buildings to make them more energy efficient, healthier, warmer and cut the cost of energy bills. 

As well as working towards retrofitting our own social housing stock, we will be supporting residents with accurate information and engaging them in schemes to make their homes more clean energy efficient, which will have a positive impact on energy bills.

In 2025, another of our focus areas will be on improving the borough’s climate resilience to weather emergencies such as flooding or heatwaves. This will include more green and tree planting, plus sustainable drainage systems, additional training for staff, reviewing potential risk areas and sharing information.

As a listening Council, we will continue to work with residents, businesses, community energy groups, and local organisations over the year ahead. This includes working with our Air Quality Citizens Assembly and Air Quality Ambassadors to help local people understand and take action to improve air quality.

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