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National Recognition for Our Just Transition Plan! |
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Our Just Transition Plan has been named a winner in the national Net Zero category at the LGC Awards 2025!
This recognition is a celebration of the incredible work we’re doing together with our partners, communities, and colleagues, to make climate action part of the everyday fabric of life in our borough.
Through our Just Transition Plan, we’re working to make sustainability a core part of how we live, work, and study - improving our quality of life, our wellbeing, our shared spaces, and our planet. This is about more than reaching net zero. It’s about creating a fairer, greener borough where everyone benefits from the transition.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE shared:
“This recognition reflects the fantastic work our teams are doing across the Council to embed climate action and sustainability into everything we do—ensuring that our transition to Net Zero is not only ambitious but also fair, just and inclusive.”
We’re proud to be leading the way and grateful to be doing it together with everyone involved. |
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Newham Represents London at UN Climate Resilience Roundtable |
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We were proud to represent Newham at a London Climate Action Week roundtable on climate resilience, co-hosted by London Councils and GLOBE Legislators, and honoured to welcome Kamal Kishore, UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Our Climate Action Director, Jacob Heitland, joined leaders from across London to explore how we can learn from global approaches, better engage communities already feeling the effects of climate change, and strengthen governance to drive collective action.
We remain committed to building a more climate-resilient Newham and ensuring our residents are protected from the increasing impacts of extreme weather. |
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Over 240 ESOL Adult Learners Explore Climate Action |
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Over two inspiring days at Beckton Globe and Priory Park Centre, more than 240 ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners came together to take part in our council-led Climate Action Workshops, delivered in partnership with our brilliant Our Newham Learning and Skills team.
Learners engaged in meaningful conversations, shared their lived experiences, and explored practical ways to take climate action in their everyday lives. From reducing food waste by disposing it as gardening compost to volunteering locally and rethinking travel habits, participants shared new tools and ideas to make a real difference in their communities.
This is part of our wider commitment to build confidence in our communities so that where we can nurture our creativity, capacity and skills to improve our quality of life, strengthen our neighbourhoods and catalyse our impact on future generations.
So, if you're part of a school, voluntary, community or faith centre and would like to be offered FREE training on ways to improve our homes, our energy system, our food, our travel and our neighbourhoods, please contact: Munni.Gahlot@newham.gov.uk. |
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We've signed our pledge for cutting single-use plastics |
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We’re taking bold steps to tackle plastic waste, becoming one of the first boroughs to sign the new Single-Use Plastics Pledge, launched by London Councils' One World Living programme. This ambitious commitment supports our goal to eliminate problematic single-use plastics and transition to reusable alternatives across all council operations and services.
The pledge aligns with our award-winning Just Transition Plan and our work embedding Net Zero across departments, through sustainability training and collaborative action that reduces emissions, increases equity, and builds resilience.
With support from WRAP and ReLondon, this pledge gives us the tools to take bold action on plastic waste as we continue to embed sustainable practices across our services and operations.
This commitment supports our ambition to build a more circular economy by increasing sharing and reducing waste within the council, while engaging with local institutions, businesses, and communities on waste reduction and reuse. |
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How we’re transforming our streets to become healthier |
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On Tuesday 8 July, our borough was recognised as the ‘Most Improved Borough’ by the Healthy Streets Scorecard coalition. The Healthy Streets Scorecard, now in its 7th year, tracks the progress of all London boroughs on the delivery of the most impactful sustainable transport projects, and the corresponding outcomes for the health and residents and their environment.
Last year, we made strong progress in making our streets safer and healthier by introducing more 20mph zones, five new school streets, and expanding low traffic neighbourhoods and protected cycle routes. Our ‘Travel for Life’ programme also supported more families to travel actively and safely. This work helped us rise from 13th to 8th place in national rankings.
Over the next year, we’re planning to build on this with more school streets and new protected cycle routes, helping to improve air quality, support physical activity, and make our streets safer for everyone. |
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Maryland Primary School: a living example of caring for people and the planet |
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Our Climate Action Team, alongside our Cabinet Member and Ward Councillors, recently visited Maryland Primary School to witness the incredible climate and ecological work being led by its students and staff.
The school held a full “Power Down Day” switching off screens and lights to focus on hope and action. Pupils shared moving performances and a heartfelt presentation on caring for the planet.
The school is a prime example of including climate justice within and beyond the classroom. They've created a local food initiative with chickens housed on-site in “Cluckingham Palace” - lovingly cared for by the pupils group, the eggsperts. The planting areas including a charming “plant hospital” for seedlings, and a polytunnel where vegetables are grown for school meals - all maintained by their student eco-warriors.
Their murals reflect the school's rich multicultural community, featuring global landscapes, including sunlit beaches. The sense of joy, care, and shared purpose was palpable, and we left with fresh eggs, flowers, and inspiration.
Maryland Primary School is doing what’s essential in our Just Transition Plan - combining climate action with equity, learning, and joy. |
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JOIN US at our Housing Community Fun Days |
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Council tenants and leaseholders are invited to join us at one of our Housing Community Fun Days this summer.
These events are a great opportunity to meet your neighbours, enjoy free family activities, and speak with council teams about housing services and support, including our climate action team.
You can also learn more about home retrofit, energy-saving advice, and how to get involved in shaping your local area.
Dates & Locations: Wed 30 July – Jack Cornwell Open Space, E12 5NN Wed 6 Aug – Sandal Street Play Area, E15 3NN Wed 13 Aug – Hermit Road Recreation Ground, E16 4JT Wed 20 Aug – May Green, Watson Street, E13 0SA
All events will run from 12–5pm. |
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Claim FREE reusable nappies this summer |
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This Plastic Free July, Newham families can claim a free reusable nappy trial kit worth over £35 - a great way to see if they’re right for you and your little one.
Reusable nappies can save families between £500 and £1,000 over your baby’s nappy years, making them an affordable choice for your budget.
They’re also gentle on your baby’s skin, made from soft, natural materials without the chemicals and plastics found in disposables. Choosing reusables also means fewer nappies in the bin, helping to cut down on unnecessary waste!
It’s a simple, practical way to try something new and help build a healthier, more sustainable future for our borough. |
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Applications for People Powered Places funding now OPEN! |
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Bring your community idea to life by applying for funding.
Our People, Powered, Places project is now live and you can apply for one of the following funding streams for one of your projects, whether you live, work or study in Newham and have an idea to work on in your neighbourhood: - Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector projects can apply for up to £20,000.
- Youth-led projects can apply for up to £10,000.
- Resident projects can apply for up to £5,000.
This is a great opportunity to make a real difference where you live, whether it’s a project to improve green spaces, support young people, or bring neighbours together.
For applications and more support, find us here. |
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Thames Environment Fund Now Open |
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The Port of London Authority’s Thames Environment Fund is now accepting applications for 2025.
With £50,000 available, the fund supports projects that improve the environmental health of the tidal Thames, from Teddington Lock to the North Sea.
If you're a school, charity, sports club, or community group with a project that tackles litter, enhances biodiversity, or reduces pollution, this is a great opportunity to bring your ideas to life. |
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London Walking and Cycling Grant |
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The Walking and Cycling Grants London fund, delivered by Groundwork and funded by Transport for London, are now open for applications. The programme offers grants of up to £10,000 for community-led projects that encourage walking and cycling across the borough.
It’s a great opportunity for charities, community groups, and social enterprises to support local active travel initiatives. |
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If you’d like to share an achievement, event or funding opportunity in a future newsletter, contact us at Climate.Action@newham.gov.uk
If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter by a friend or colleague, you can sign up to receive future editions here. |
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Our mailing address is: London Borough of Newham, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU. |
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