Last night, at their Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, Richmond Council reflected on the significant progress made against its 2023 Climate Emergency Action Plan and agreed priorities for 2024.

These new priorities include strengthening partnership work within the community through the launch of a new climate action microgrants programme and refresh of the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy for 2025-2030.

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture & Sports Committee, said: "As we accelerate toward our ambitious goals of becoming carbon neutral as a Council by 2030 and a Net Zero Borough by 2043, extensive work was carried out in 2023 to build on progress that has been made against our Climate Emergency Strategy since 2019.

"This has included bolstering how we collaborate with our communities and provide space for necessary partnership working; ensuring that our neighbourhoods and residents who are at the greatest risk of negative climate impacts are delivered tailored support; and working tirelessly on key projects to help make Richmond upon Thames the greenest borough in London."

In 2023, Richmond upon Thames achieved a top ranking on the CDP Cities A List for the second year running, one of only three London local authorities to receive the global award recognising bold leadership on climate action and transparency, and continued evidence of building on the commitments they have set out to deliver.

Priorities for 2024 include a focus on the decarbonisation of homes and other properties around the borough, as well as partnership working to refresh the Climate Emergency Strategy and rollout the new Climate Microgrants Programme, which will provide small-scale funding to local groups to develop and deliver climate action projects contributing to the borough's net zero target.

Richmond Council's new Climate Emergency Strategy will detail its plans for becoming a Net Zero Borough by 2043, including timescales for crucial mitigation and adaptation programmes to facilitate swifter, more urgent action on climate change.

It is very important that this strategy reflect the voices of local people, and members of the community will be called upon to get involved in and support the process.

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Full details about progress made against the 2023 Climate Action Plan, as well priorities for 2024, can be read in the published report.