Thousands of H&F residents are turning small behaviour changes into big savings for their wallets and the planet – and 2025 could be your year to join them.
While most Londoners want to take action on climate change, many don't know where to start.
Here are 10 local initiatives you can join to become more climate-conscious this year.
1. Use refillable bottles and coffee cups when out and about
Brits use more than 3.5billion single-use plastic water bottles and 2.5bn disposable coffee cups each year.
Replacing these single-use items with a reusable alternative is a great way to cut your plastic consumption and save you money.
Use the Refill App to find places across the borough to fill up your water bottle for free and get discounts for bringing your keep-cup.
2. Invest in your local area
We're working with local people to create a cleaner and greener borough through our Green Investment scheme.
Residents can once again invest in local green projects to make a return – and a difference – from March 2025.
Sign up to our new mailing list to learn how council investment schemes work and get project updates straight to your inbox.
3. Buy and sell second hand
The textile industry accounts for up to 10% of global emissions – as much as international shipping and aviation combined.
Charity shops offer a sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe while supporting amazing causes within the area.
Find your nearest charity shop on H&F the Association of Charity Shops website.
Got a holey jumper? No worries! See when Livat shopping mall is hosting its next clothes mending circle.
4. Draught proof your home
Small improvements to your home can help reduce your environmental impact and energy bills.
Install simple draught-proofing measures such as window tape, switch to LED light bulbs, reduce your boiler flow temperature if safe to do so, or wash your clothes at 30°.
If you or a friend is struggling to pay energy bills this winter, H&F Healthy Homes can help with advice, home visits and support.
5. Go plant-based twice a week
A large chunk of food-related greenhouse gases come from cattle-farming and deforestation.
Cutting down on red meat and dairy, even just a few days a week, will have a significant impact on your health and our climate.
The Nourish Hub in H&F serves low-cost, sustainable meals that are vegan and vegetarian, using 'rescued produce' that would otherwise go to waste.
Meanwhile the Eat Like a Londoner platform has delicious, crowdsourced recipes for you to follow.
6. Get in touch with local nature
Our wildlife is declining at a fast rate.
Pollution trackers show why our work to protect, nurture and restore nature is so vital.
Join your local Friends of Parks group, become a Tiny Forest keeper at one of our London-leading miniature urban forests or host a Rewilding Rave in your garden, on your balcony or windowsills to get involved.
7. Pedal against pollution
Everyone in H&F – one of the most densely packed boroughs in the country – is affected by toxic air.
The biggest problem for air pollution is road traffic. In H&F, there are a quarter of a million car trips per week of less than two miles.
You can help protect people's health by choosing greener forms of transport, including cycling. Join a training session, get your bike fixed for free or hire a ride to get pedalling today.
8. Repair electronics instead of binning them
The average person produces 7.6kg of electronic waste a year.
Have a broken lamp that needs fixing? Join our expert-led repair workshops and learn how to repair your electrical items instead of throwing them away.
9. Borrow items from the Library of Things
Sometimes we buy items we see online and only use them once before they collect dust in the cupboard.
Our Library of Things in Hammersmith allows you to rent useful household items, such as tools, kitchen appliances and other useful products, instead of buying them outright.
Since its launch, our Library of Things has helped save residents £667,714, 100 tonnes of carbon and 32.6 tonnes of waste.
10. Help power community buildings with solar energy
Local energy co-op, H&F Community Energy, helps instal solar panels on community buildings to cut carbon and energy costs.
Our first scheme at Jack Tizard school in White City already powers more than a third of its needs with clean energy.
Want to help them to redirect money into other vital services? Join the H&F Community Energy mailing list for upcoming investment opportunities.
