Climate action guide for residents
The Council is leading on major projects, but real change happens when residents take action at home and in their neighbourhoods. Many small actions add up to a big, tangible difference. See what action the Council is taking.
What you can do as a resident
You can take practical steps at home and in your community to support climate action.
Use your voice
- speaking up is a powerful way to drive change: policies and business decisions often follow what people ask for, and by using your voice, you can help shape a cleaner and fairer future
- register to vote
- check how your MP votes on environmental policies and support those who take action
- write to your local councillors or MP or visit them at a surgery - ask what they are doing to protect communities from climate injustice, pollution, and extreme weather
- share your views on ending fossil fuel use and supporting cleaner energy
- talk to relatives and neighbours about positive actions we can take
- share good news stories about local climate action to inspire others
- join local or national groups that campaign for climate action, such as Climate Action Lewisham, Friends of the Earth, or Greenpeace UK
- sign petitions calling for stronger environmental protection
- take part in local consultations on new developments
- support sustainable businesses and services that reduce waste and pollution - this shows there is real demand for cleaner products
At home
- see our cutting down on bills page
- use energy efficiently by switching to LED bulbs and blocking draughts - you can do this cheaply with tape, curtains, or home-made draught excluders
- you can also hire a thermal imaging gun from Library of Things to see where your heat is escaping
- insulate your loft, floors or walls to reduce heat loss
- explore installing solar panels or heat pumps with available funding schemes
- use appliances wisely to reduce bills and save energy
How you travel
- walk or cycle for short trips where possible - Lime offer discounts for key workers
- use public transport instead of driving
- join or start a car share to reduce traffic and pollution
- if you drive, consider switching to an electric vehicle and using one of Lewisham’s growing networks of chargers
Food and waste
- reduce food waste by meal planning and eating leftovers
- if you have an outdoor space, try composting food scraps, or putting them in your food waste collection. This will be available to flats in 2026
- choose locally produced, plant-based food when possible
- try eating less meat and dairy - studies show it can be healthier for you too
- cut down on single-use plastics and packaging by growing your own herbs or salad, or visiting a refill shop
In your neighbourhood
- join local tree planting or community gardens
- connect with others by joining Good Food Lewisham to learn about growing your own food
- take part in community energy projects
- talk with neighbours about shared improvements like solar panels, rain gardens and planters, permeable driveways, or green roofs
Tools and support
- use the WWF Footprint Calculator to understand and reduce your impact
- find home energy advice and grants through SELCE
- join local groups such as Climate Action Lewisham for events and volunteering opportunities
- visit our Cost-of-Living pages for financial support options
Working together
Thousands of Lewisham residents are already taking climate action. From planting trees to improving homes, these actions are making streets greener and homes more comfortable. By acting together, we can build a safer, healthier borough for everyone.
Case studies
RMUK
The Rastafari Movement UK Health and Wellbeing Centre provide food and support to anyone nearby who needs it. Based in Downham, Sister Stella and her team run a social supermarket stocked with fresh, healthy, and home-grown foods.
Lewisham is home to one of the biggest Afro-Caribbean populations in the country. RMUK are especially proud to stock culturally relevant foods for our communities, from yams, ochre, and their own chillies picked from the garden.
With support from the Repair, Reuse, Recycle Grant, the centre upcycled wooden pallets into herb planters, and an outdoor seating area. By using old materials creatively, they have transformed the small garden space into a welcoming haven, and memorial area to honour their founder in.
Gardens can support both wellbeing and climate action, helping lower temperatures in the summer, and providing better air quality. Growing fresh herbs on a balcony or small outdoor space can save money from buying in the supermarket and reduce plastic packaging waste.
Common terms
Simple explanations of some common climate action terms.
Active or green travel
What it means
Walking, cycling, or using public transport instead of cars.
Why it matters in Lewisham
Reducing cars and other vehicles from our streets helps to keep our air clean, reduce congestion and improves safety.
Air pollution was attributable to around 46 deaths in Lewisham in 2023, down from around 60 in 2018. Air pollution is a factor in 28,000-36,000 deaths every year in the UK.
Adaptation
What it means
Preparing for hotter summers, heavier rain and other climate changes.
Why it matters in Lewisham
This helps keep our homes and streets safe in all kinds of weather. Trees and green spaces help provide shade and soak up rainfall, preventing floods.
Biodiversity
What it means
The variety of plants and animals in an area.
Why it matters in Lewisham
Healthy wildlife supports cleaner air and better green spaces. Tree shade and plants can cool temperatures by up to 10 degrees in that spot. Access to nature is also proven to be good for our mental health.
Flood risk
What it means
The chance of an area flooding after heavy rain.
Why it matters in Lewisham
28,000 homes in Lewisham could be at potential risk of flooding, but we’re working hard to protect them.
Heatwave
What it means
A period of extremely hot weather.
Why it matters in Lewisham
Hotter summers mean more heatwaves here, affecting our health, working conditions, and learning environments.
Renewable energy
What it means
Clean energy from the sun, wind or water.
Why it matters in Lewisham
Powers buildings without using fossil fuels, helping us to have local ownership over fuel sources. Energy co-operatives such as South East London Community Energy help residents own their own energy sources, as a community.
Retrofit
What it means
Improving existing buildings to save energy.
Why it matters in Lewisham
Makes homes warmer, more comfortable, and cuts energy bills. Retrofit can also sort out problems with damp and mould or overheating in summer
Mythbusters
Some common myths about climate action.
“My actions don’t matter.”
They do. 1,693 trees were planted in Lewisham from 2022-2025. This was done by working with over 450 local volunteers. (Source: Council performance data). Local projects and residents are taking action for the climate every day. They are cutting pollution and improving streets, the air we breathe, and our quality of life.
Walking more, using up leftovers, campaigning for change, or tending to a garden. There is a role for each of us to do. Collectively, we can make a big difference. For our local air quality, to bring down temperatures in summer, and to reduce risk of flooding.
“Climate change is a future problem.”
It is happening now. Summers are getting hotter, and heavy rain is more common. There are practical steps we can all take to prepare our homes and communities. And the good news is many of those also reduce carbon emissions and pollution. These solutions help stop climate problems getting worse in the future.
“Going green costs too much."
Many actions are low cost and can help to save money in the long run. Try simple steps such as using LED bulbs, or draught-proofing windows. These reduce bills and make homes warmer. Repairing clothes, electronics, or buying second hand, is often cheaper than buying new.
“This is all up to the Council.”
It's a shared effort. The Council leads on projects like improving schools and council homes. By acting on this, we've cut our corporate emissions by 25% since 2019. Residents, community groups and businesses are making positive progress on climate every day.
Read our Climate Action Plan to see what we’re doing to tackle climate change.
Learn about what Lewisham businesses and community groups are doing to take action on climate.
Next steps
- see what the Council is doing
- see our climate action guides for residents, businesses and schools to find more ways you can take part
- sign up to our climate e-newsletter for local tips and news
- find more simple explanations on the Energy Saving Trust and Met Office websites