Wandsworth scores on carbon net zero action

Waste reduction, transport, planning and biodiversity are among Wandsworth’s carbon net zero priorities recognised in a leading climate assessment.

Wandsworth Council is among the top authorities recognised in the latest Council Climate Action Scorecards from Climate Emergency UK.

Improving its scores across categories including buildings and heating, transport, planning and land use, governance and finance, biodiversity, and waste reduction and food, Wandsworth scored joint third of 186 councils.

Wandsworth’s score has jumped 17 per cent since 2023, with the Council Climate Action Scorecard result demonstrating significant progress towards the council’s net zero goals.

The results, released this week, follow almost a year of assessment and audit across around 90 climate-related areas.

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

It follows news that Wandsworth Council is among just 112 cities and authorities worldwide to be awarded a top ‘A’ grade for its climate action work by environmental organisation, the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, said the Council Climate Action Scorecard result demonstrated a continuing commitment to taking meaningful and measurable climate action.

“We are delighted to be recognised among the top five authorities for our work on climate action,” he said.

“As a Council we are working hard to take action in areas including air quality and biodiversity improvements, to promoting active travel, waste reduction and more energy efficient homes.

“These results show we are making positive progress and we will continue to strive to take action on the climate  and work towards our net zero goals 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.
• Access for All offers expanded to include 50% discounts on Lime and Forest e-bike rental.
• 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.
• 23,000 items collected so far through our free bulky waste collections.
• Wandsworth’s first-ever Sustainable September engaged over 4,500 attendees across 69 community-led climate action events.

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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