Community-driven initiative in Greenwich to help tackle climate change

Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor Anthony Okereke, and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value, Cllr Denise Hyland, have signed the Green Finance Institute’s Local Climate Bond Pledge on behalf of Royal Greenwich.

The Green Finance Institute helps local authorities promote investment schemes that tackle climate change and reduce emissions. These signatures reaffirm the council’s commitment to opening its Greenwich Green Investment scheme – which will allow residents and businesses to directly invest in projects which will tackle the climate crisis locally.

Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor Anthony Okereke said: “We will be launching our Greenwich Green Investment, with the sole purpose of tackling climate change and achieving net zero emissions as outlined in our Carbon Neutral Plan. Together, we can make a difference and be a part of the solution.”

Associate Director of Local Green Investment at the Green Finance Institute, Miles Ashton, said: “Local authorities are at the forefront of procuring and delivering local projects that are key to generating long-term growth and creating wealth in every community.

"Over 75 per cent of local authorities have declared a climate emergency and have ambitious targets to reach net zero before 2050. With mounting pressures on public funding, Local Climate Bonds empower local authorities to build an independent, local and diversified funding source from citizen investors and the wider institutional landscape, while simultaneously creating a platform for community engagement and participation.

"LCBs have enabled 12 pioneering councils to mobilise millions for local green projects. We are delighted that the Royal Borough of Greenwich will be launching their Greenwich Green Investment to invest in climate action for the community.”

Green and climate investment schemes are a way for councils to raise funds that are invested back into projects that tackle climate change, improving local people’s quality of life.

This can vary from adapting homes and buildings to reduce carbon emissions, to replacing streetlights with energy efficient bulbs or installing solar panels.

Find out more at: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/green-investment