FREE repair cafe and clothing swap THIS Saturday 27 July
Businesses can win £50 for sharing views on the green economy
£2,500 cargo bike grant for businesses and community organisations
Learn about energy saving measures at our Community Fun Days
Share your views on the local area in our Local Plan consultation
FREE sustainability and energy efficiency support for SMEs
RECENT NEWS
Businesses explore a Just Transition at annual conference
On 11 July, Newham’s Climate Action Team ran a workshop at the Newham Business Conference, an annual event co-hosted by Newham Chamber of Commerce and the London Borough of Newham held at the University of East London, Stratford.
Our workshop explored what businesses can do to tackle the Climate Emergency and enable a Just Transition in their business, the borough, and beyond. Local SMEs came together to share knowledge on how to decarbonise aspects of their business such as energy and buildings, transport, food, waste and their supply chain, with an opportunity to ask questions to experts across the council and find opportunities for collaboration and joint working.
Running Out of Time relay passes through Newham
The Running Out of Time relay team passed the baton mile after mile, day after day, for 29 days, from Ben Nevis to Big Ben. Thanks to the incredible collective effort of over 20,000 people, we have run, walked, wheeled, swam, paddled, cycled, skied, paraglided and sailed the 2,436km route! On 4 July, the last day of the monumental relay, participants passed through Newham and ended outside Big Ben. 11-year-old Ella, a pupil from St Luke's Primary School in Canning Town, read out a message outside Parliament at precisely 20:30, to draw attention to the 2030 Net Zero targets and how we are running out of time to achieve them. The relay will return next Summer – watch this space to get involved!
Celebrating the opening of Beckton Meadows
On Thursday 25 July we held a free event to celebrate the opening of Beckton Meadows, which features over two acres of wildflowers, a butterfly garden and the new Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway.
Residents enjoyed nature walks with the Butterfly Conservation and Bumblebee Conservation Trust, plus other family activities, and received a free copy of the Beckton Parks Masterplan to learn about upcoming improvements. You can find more information about the new Masterplan here.
Visit Beckton Meadows yourself - located in the south of Beckton Parks, near Beckton Park DLR station and bus routes 678 and 376.
So far together, we have planted 14,460 native trees creating 7 SUGi Pocket Forests in local schools and parks in Newham, with 3,309 students, teachers and residents transforming a highly urbanized environment with a biodiverse network of native species havens. The continuing partnership will see 5,700 more trees planted before the end of 2024.
The benefits of the pocket forests are multi layered, here are just a few:
Their biodiversity can help improve immunity via positive microbial interactions.
Filter airborne pollutants through their dense canopies.
Improve the physical and mental wellbeing of communities.
Help cool city temperatures.
Can help mitigate flooding by absorbing stormwater.
Capture CO₂, and emit oxygen.
Create a haven for bees and pollinators.
GET INVOLVED
Join us at our FREE Repair Cafe, Saturday 27 July
Attend our upcoming Repair Cafe to repair your broken items such as electronics, clothing and bicycles, swap clothes you no longer wear and browse our donation rails. Gain top tips on managing your food waste, plus teach your children new skills in gadget repair.
Date: Saturday 27 July
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Cundy Community Centre, 42 Hartington Road E16 3NP
No booking required (except for the Team Repair Gadget Repair Workshop, suitable for ages 10+).
Share your views on the green economy and win £50!
We invite you to complete a survey led by the University of East London and Newham Council to better understand the views of Newham’s businesses, social enterprises and community organisations on climate change and the green economy. The survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous. By completing the survey you will also have the chance to win one of twenty £50 Amazon vouchers. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday 2 August. Feel free to share the survey with your contacts!
We're excited to announce that the Retrofit Stall will be a key feature at the upcoming Community Fun Days this summer! Join us for food, fun, games, music, giveaways, and a chance to ask staff any questions you may have on:
Wed 31st July at Brampton Park, East Ham, E6 3LB
Wed 7th August at Priory Park, Boleyn, E6 1QZ
Wed 14th August at Grant Street Open Space, Canning Town, E13 0ET
Representatives from Switchee and Aico will be present to share valuable information about environmental sensors. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how these sensors can benefit your home and to share your thoughts on them!
Share your views on Environmental Sensors, win £50!
In addition to the Community Fun Days, Aico and Switchee will be bringing their engagement vans to:
Brasset Point on 5th August from 10am to 3pm
David Lee Point on 6th August from 10am to 3pm
These events will feature a prize draw for £50 Amazon vouchers and snacks for residents. Come along to ask questions about the sensors currently being installed and discover how they are helping us combat damp and mould in our housing stock. We look forward to seeing you there!
Have your say on the Newham Draft Submission Local Plan!
The Local Plan is the key planning document to assess planning applications and plan for regeneration and development in the borough. The refreshed plan aims to deliver our key objectives: inclusive growth, delivering a fairer Newham and addressing the climate emergency. Policies encourage new net-zero buildings, retrofit and the consideration of overheating.
This is our final round of consultation before the Local Plan is submitted to central government for examination. Find out how to have your say by visiting Newham Co-Create or by visiting your local library. The deadline for responses is 6 September.
Businesses, charities and community organisations eligible for grants of £2,500 towards cargo bikes
Workplaces in Newham can now apply for one of 24 available grants of up to £2,500 towards the cost of a cargo bike, helping to cut transport costs and improve air quality.
The cargo bike grant project is being operated by the Zero Emissions Network (ZEN), an award-winning initiative that helps workplaces save money, reduce emissions and improve local air quality. It has recently expanded to Newham after already helping nearly 100 businesses - including electricians, florists and hairdressers – to start using cargo bikes an e-bikes as part of operational transport.
The application deadline is 1 September. Apply for the grant here.
Other types of free support offered to workplaces by the Zero Emissions Network include:
Free cycle training
Free bicycle mechanic visit to your workplace
Three free deliveries by cargo bike couriers
Trial an electric van, cargo bike or electric bike
Free sustainability and energy support programme for SMEs
The UK Government is subsidising a free sustainability and energy support programme for London SMEs (2-249 employees, £50k-£43m revenue), where businesses can learn how to be greener and more efficient.
The full support package from Better Futures includes:
12 months of free access to a carbon calculator to measure your business carbon footprint.
A tailored carbon reduction plan in line with national guidelines.
A free energy audit and energy reduction report to help reduce your energy bills.
Free access to an online learning portal where you’ll learn ways to future-proof your business.
Weekly educational webinars on a suite of business sustainability topics.
Consultancy with experts from a range of fields including energy, LCAs, B Corp, marketing, etc.
Grants for sustainable innovations and energy efficiency initiatives.
