GOGREEN - Welcome to Westminster.gov.uk · recycling your rubbish and managing parks, to promoting sustainability in our schools and ensuring the goods and services we procure as

GOGREENWestminster City Council’s environmental programme

What is Go Green?

The council’s Go Green programme is an integral part of our One City vision for strong communities and excellent services. To achieve this excellence, we are working to place Westminster at the forefront of local authorities in terms of our responsible environmental stewardship. We want to play our full part in making London not only the world’s greatest city, but also its greenest and most liveable.

As part of the One City programme, the council established a Go Green board. The board is responsible for overseeing the delivery of all the council’s environmental projects, across all of our services - from rubbish and parks, to the role of schools and education.

The board reviews all current and planned activity to ensure that each council service places the environment at the heart of what they do. This report highlights the key actions being taken across the council – the full and detailed programme can be viewed atwww.westminster.gov.uk/gogreen

In recent years, the environment has risen up the public agenda. Consumers are demanding more – such as less food packaging, fewer food miles and more sustainable businesses. People are coming to realise that the threat of climate change can no longer be ignored and must be responded to as a matter of urgency.

Westminster City Council is committed to playing its full part. Indeed, it is our aim to be recognised as an exemplar of environmental best practice, both in comparison to other local authorities as well as those in the private sector.

In order to help our residents and businesses play their role, the council will give clear messages and show strong leadership about how we are getting our own house in order in terms of our focus on being environmentally conscious.

This document sets out the council’s green credentials and outlines our plans for the future across everything we do – from recycling your rubbish and managing parks, to promoting sustainability in our schools and ensuring the goods and services we procure as a council have minimum impact on the environment. There’s also an indication of how you can help us reach our goal.

Go Green is an ongoing programme, which will grow and change continually. Therefore we will update this document every year, to show our progress and dedication to making Westminster one of the greenest and most environmentally aware councils in the country. We welcome your ideas or comments about what we are doing, email us at: [email protected]

Cllr Alan BradleyJune 2007

Introductionby Councillor Alan BradleyCabinet Member for Street Environment

1 | Westminster City Council Go Green

Thinking ahead, we will…

• Run a proactive and high profile internal campaign to encourage staff to switch off computers, printers and photocopiers to help reduce energy usage.

• Begin a programme of installing solar panels on council buildings, starting with the Jubilee Sports Centre in W10.

• Install phased lighting in car parks so lights automatically switch off when not in use.

• Turn our attention to council operations (such as waste management and highways maintenance) and set more carbon reduction targets.

• Use LED (light-emitting diode) lights on pedestrian and zebra crossings.

• Pilot low energy street lights.


Our progress:

• The council has signed up to the Nottingham Declaration – marking our commitment to addressing climate change and mobilising action in local communities.

• Westminster’s Carbon Management Programme commits us to reducing the council’s carbon emissions from its buildings by 20% by 2020.

• We have carried out an energy audit of City Hall, our top energy consuming building, and we are implementing a number of measures to reduce our energy consumption, supervised by our energy manager.

• A renewable energy programme is now underway in our housing estates meaning each one must employ a level of renewable technology by 2010.

• We are developing plans to connect the recently renewed Pimlico District Heating Plant to more properties.

What’s the problem?

The massive rise in economic activity and global population over the past 200 years has led to higher emissions of carbon dioxide.

A major contributor has been the growth of road and air transport. The increasing levels of carbon are seen by most of the scientific community as the major cause of rising temperatures across the globe.

These changes in the climate will have a significant impact on the lives of our residents and the way the council works.

It’s up to us to mitigate our contribution to climate change by reducing the environmental impact of our services and helping our residents to lead more environmentally friendly lifestyles. We need to plan for adaptations that will be necessary to deal with these changes.

Climate change and energy

How you can help• Replace your lightbulbs: Low energy lightbulbs save energy (and therefore money) and last longer too.

• Keep it covered: Talk to your landlord or estate manager and ask about increasing the insulation in your property.

• Turn it down: Whether it’s your thermostat or your wash cycle, even one degree can make all the difference.


Our progress:

• Westminster City Council was the first local authority to produce a statutory air quality management plan, declare an Air Quality Management Area and pioneered the concept of the Low Emission Zone for London, due to come into effect in February 2008.

• The council commissioned the very first application of regenerating particulate traps to a refuse collection fleet. This low-emission technology is now fitted to all our dustcarts.

• We promote electric vehicles for our residents by providing free casual parking on-street and within our car parks, and free resident parking permits. We have pioneered on-street recharging points – the first in the UK.


Local air pollution is a major problem that impacts on human health, exacerbating conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Pollution in London is higher than anywhere else in the UK. The main contributors to air pollution are the tens of thousands of cars, buses, vans and motorcycles that use our roads every day.

Air qualityThinking ahead, we will…

• Extend our on-street parking scheme making electric vehicles even more viable for those travelling in central London.

• Review and update our air quality strategy and action plan.


How you can help• Consider your journey: Do you need to take the car? Why not take public transport, walk or cycle?

• Change your fuel: If you’re buying a new car or vehicles for work, consider alternatively fuelled vehicles or even just a smaller one.

• Work on your driving skills: Gentle braking, slower acceleration and lower speeds reduce fuel consumption and air pollution. For more information visit www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2


Our progress:

• We have provided training for planners on sustainable building design and construction to help ensure environmental considerations are at the heart of Westminster’s planning system.

• The council has produced award- winning guidelines for the sustainable design of buildings.

• We’re building Crompton Street Sports Centre as an innovative sustainable facility.


As a 24-hour city, Westminster is growing daily. New building developments, an expanding resident population and a high volume of traffic all contribute to the effect the city has on the environment.

In order to meet our One City objectives and to leave the built and natural environment better than we found it, it is crucial that new buildings are designed for a changing climate and are better for the environment.

Thinking ahead, we will…

• Introduce electronic planning applications, and use the council website to make planning documents accessible to external parties.

• Encourage the redevelopment of Chelsea barracks as a model of sustainable development.

• Implement the Clean Streets agenda – removing dumped rubbish from the street, overseeing the smoking legislation and reviewing the recycling strategy.

• Oversee phase one of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project across three of the council’s schools. BSF aims to make Westminster schools world-class foundations with buildings that meet high environmental standards.

• Re-launch our Considerate Builders Scheme to increase awareness of the impact of construction on our residents.

• Strengthen our planning guidance in terms of sustainability and incorporate sustainability principles into new council-developments, whilst retro-fitting sustainability into old buildings.


Built environment

How you can help• Use our sustainable buildings planning guidance: If you are planning changes to your home, look at ways of making it more sustainable.

• Choose window frames made of wood: They look good and have less impact on the environment than PVC or aluminium.

• Use insulation made from natural materials: It may cost more, but insulation manufactured from flax, sheep’s wool, or used paper usually provides better insulation and fewer problems with damp, as well as cutting down on noise.


Our progress:

• We run training programmes for planners to help them understand biodiversity policy and how to implement it.

• The council leads the work of the Westminster Biodiversity Partnership in developing and implementing a local Biodiversity Action Plan that aims to protect the city’s array of wildlife and natural habitats.

• We carry out ecological surveys to inform decisions on how sites are managed for biodiversity.


Westminster is home to a thriving and diverse community of plants, animals and micro-organisms. Construction, movement of people, traffic and many other characteristics of a thriving urban lifestyle pose a huge threat to the conservation of areas of high biodiversity.

Protecting and sustaining Westminster’s natural habitats and wildlife is essential to the council’s green agenda and to the quality of life in the city.

BiodiversityThinking ahead, we will…

• Work with the Westminster Biodiversity Partnership to deliver projects set out in the local Biodiversity Action Plan.

• Develop and implement plans for an environmental area and ecology study centre at Paddington Recreation Ground, a wildlife area in Queen’s Park Gardens and enhancement projects in the local nature reserve at St John’s Wood Church Grounds.

• Identify new sites to increase people’s access to and enjoyment of nature.

• Introduce nature conservation information boards at selected Westminster sites.


How you can help• Plant a window box: Use flowering plants to provide nectar for insects.

• Feed the birds: Hang up some well-stocked bird feeders.

• Put up nesting boxes: These encourage birds or bats.

• Keep a record: Let us know the wildlife you see on 020 7641 1951.


Our progress:

• We’re continuing our work to increase the range of flowering plants, shrubs and trees planted across the city.

• The council has adopted a new open spaces strategy to improve the quality, management, accessibility and usage of parks and green spaces throughout the city, as well as looking to provide new facilities where there is a gap in provision.

• We are working with developers to ensure they include green areas as part of any new initiatives.

• Local community groups are getting help to improve their local open spaces.

• Our Westminster in Bloom awards encourage residents and businesses to improve and green the areas in their care, and our own parks and gardens are multiple Green Flag award winners.

• We have re-introduced park keepers to our parks, making sure that our open spaces are well cared for and safe and secure for everyone to enjoy.


As small oases in the bustle of the city environment, our parks and open spaces are an integral part of Westminster, providing places for relaxation, exercise, escape and wildlife. Green spaces and the presence of trees and plants also contribute to increased health and well-being.

These areas need to be protected and enhanced to ensure maximum enjoyment by the local community.

Land, landscape and open spacesThinking ahead, we will…

• Continue landscaping works to improve open spaces.

• Produce a walker’s guide to Westminster’s green spaces

• Ensure tree protection in the city – especially with regard to diversity of species.

• Plan against potential threats to our trees (drought, exotic tree pests, subsidence), encouraging the use of plants and trees that are resistant to climate change.


How you can help• Look after your park: If you visit a park, take your litter home and try to leave it as clean as you found it.

• Use your park: For exercise and relaxation – it’s far more interesting than the gym.

• Report it: If you see people littering or not cleaning up after their dog, let us know by calling 020 7641 2000.


Our progress:

• The council provides a 24-hour noise service for residents.

• Our noise officers use handheld technology – making the service almost completely paperless.

• We advise on noise aspects of planning decisions and ensure new buildings won’t have an adverse affect on our residents.


Noise is part of living in a busy city, but excessive noise can really affect people’s quality of life. One person’s small gathering is another’s rave and everyone has different tolerance levels when it comes to noise.

Westminster’s noise team offers one of the most comprehensive noise control services in the country. They offer advice and assistance on all aspects of the noise environment to both residents and businesses.

These areas need to be protected and enhanced to ensure maximum enjoyment by the local community.

NoiseThinking ahead, we will…

• Work closely with our colleagues in the police, CivicWatch and other partners to make sure we give a co-ordinated response to anti-social behaviour.

• Produce a comprehensive noise strategy with more actions to prevent and reduce noise, whether from air conditioning, clubs and pubs, noisy neighbours or noise on the street.


How you can help

• Talk about it: Although it may sound obvious, simply talking to your neighbours may help. Most people are unaware that they are causing a nuisance until you tell them.

• Contact the council: If you feel you can’t approach your neighbours or if there is still a problem, talk to the council. If the noise is disturbing you right now call the noise team on 020 7641 2000 (24 hours) for a response within 45 minutes.

• Taking your own action: If you want to take your own action through the courts you can. Go to the Westminster website www.westminster.gov.uk/noise for more information. If the noise is persistent, it is a good idea to keep a log of the disturbances.


Our progress:

• We’ve recently published a new procurement code that controls all of our purchasing activity and aims to minimise the environmental impact of the goods and services we consume.

• Our Small and Minority Business council ensures that the council works with local and small suppliers in the city.

• We require all larger contractors to adopt their own environment policies, and comply with ours.

• Mobile phone bills are now paid electronically, via the internet. This has saved over 30,000 sheets of paper and 13,000 envelopes so far.

• We have ensured that our own vehicle fleet meets higher environmental standards, reducing fuel consumption and air pollution year after year.


As a business, the council is responsible for the purchasing of a large amount of services and goods from different companies across the country.

In order to reduce the council’s impact on the environment around us, it is imperative that the materials we use come from sustainable sources.

Purchasing goods and servicesThinking ahead, we will…

• Move more of the council’s services online and do more work electronically to prevent paper wastage.

• Place priority on providers that have a good environmental record – such as working towards a recognised environmental accreditation.

• Produce council publications, such as the Westminster Reporter and Westwords, on recycled paper.

• Make more use of recycled products.


How you can help

• Say no to excess packaging: Don’t buy things wrapped with excess packaging.

• Stay local: Buy local produce and support local shops.

• Go online: Wherever possible, access council services through the website. www.westminster.gov.uk



Our progress:

• The council runs an ongoing campaign to reduce the amount of rubbish produced by residents and businesses and increase our recycling rates. The amount of rubbish recycled has doubled in the last three years.

• We’ve reduced the amount of rubbish going to landfill by 50% (35,000 tonnes) in the last two years.

• We have increased the composting of waste from our parks and gardens.

• We have almost doubled recycling rates on Westminster housing estates in the last two years.


The UK produces more than 434 million tonnes of rubbish every year but more than 60% of this could be recycled. Things that are not recycled may be disposed of in landfill sites, an expensive and damaging way to get rid of rubbish.

The majority of Westminster’s waste is burned to generate electricity for the National Grid, thus saving the consumption of some 47,000 tonnes of fuel oil annually.

Rubbish and recyclingThinking ahead, we will…

• Continue to increase our residential recycling rates above and beyond government set targets.

• Improve our commercial waste recycling service.

• Work with our contractors to find new and innovative ways to recycle demolition materials.


How you can help

• Be a considerate neighbour: Put your rubbish out at the right time, call us for bulky items and clean up after your dog if you have one. If you are not sure about any of these issues get in touch on 020 7641 2000.

• Smart shopping: Take your own canvas bags or reuse old plastic bags to carry your shopping.

• Report problems: Dumped rubbish, graffiti or recycling issues can be reported by calling our 24-hour environment action line on 020 7641 2000.

• Give to charity: Find a local charity shop that will take your unwanted furniture, clothes, toys and books.

Our progress:

• We’ve reviewed the way in which we wash our streets so we save 1.2 million litres of water a month.

• Rainwater is collected on park buildings for use in our parks and gardens.


Climate change is having a huge effect on water supplies across the world. Two-fifths of the world’s people already face serious shortages while people in developed countries use ten times more water than those in developing ones.

Climate change is reducing rainfall in the South-East at the same time as water demand is growing. The way in which the council uses water is also changing to reduce wastage while maintaining high standards of service.

WaterThinking ahead, we will…

• Investigate using boreholes in our parks to be used for irrigation.

• Continue work on reducing the amount of water used in our street cleaning operations.

• Reduce water use in our buildings.


How you can help

• Wait until you have a full load: Before switching on your washing machine (or dishwasher). Half-load programmes use more than half the water and energy of a full load.

• Have a shower not a bath: A five-minute shower uses about a third of the water of a bath unless it’s a power shower, which wastes more water than a bath.

• Save a flush: Get a free water saver for your toilet from Thames Water and save up to three litres per flush. Visit www.thameswater.co.uk to order yours.


Our progress:

• We reward residents who have small cars or alternatively fuelled vehicles by discounting and scrapping residents’ parking fees.

• The council is working with partners such as Transport for London to improve public transport in the city.

• We have put in over 4,000 bicycle stands across the city for residents and commuters.

• We have helped to provide more bus lanes and cycle routes.

• We continue to promote cycling, with training and the development of new routes ongoing.


Road transport is a major contributor to poor air quality and climate change. Millions of cars, lorries, buses and other vehicles use Westminster’s streets each year. Technology is constantly evolving and new ways of fuelling vehicles are slowly being rolled out to the public.

In the meantime, the council is working to reward those who already use alternatively fuelled vehicles.

Transport and getting aroundThinking ahead, we will…

• Review the council’s policies on transport and encourage the use of alternatively fuelled vehicles amongst staff.

• Use parking policy to favour more environmentally friendly transport.

• Develop travel plans with our local schools that will help reduce the number of cars used to pick up and drop children at school.

• Run a cycle training scheme for children and adults, and develop cycling routes across Westminster.

• Do more to promote walking, with better signposting and improved pavements, and we will encourage the use of Westminster’s green networks.


How you can help

• Get out and about: Try walking or cycling whenever possible.

• Take the bus: Choose to use public transport rather than a car.

• Make your transport greener: If a car is essential, look into getting an alternatively fuelled vehicle (but all cars affect climate change one way or another). Depending on which option you choose, benefits include:

• no congestion charge • free parking in central London • reduced vehicle excise duty • free parking for residents.


Our progress:

• We ensure that the environment is a key part of the curriculum where students research, discuss and debate topical issues.

• Our schools’ catering contracts have environmental requirements built in.

• The council runs local green days and bicycle workshops for youth clubs to promote healthy living.

• Some Westminster schools are already signed up to the national eco- schools scheme.

• A programme of greening projects has been delivered in schools, playground improvements, green areas and places for wildlife.


Educating children and young people on the issues facing the environment are key in encouraging lifestyle change.

The council is working with our local schools and contractors to ensure that the next generation are ambassadors for green living.

Schools and educationThinking ahead, we will…

• Identify more primary schools to implement the national eco-schools programme.

• Employ an environmental advisor to work in schools to help develop environmental learning and to help schools improve their environmental performance.

22| Westminster City Council Go Green

How you can help

• Make sure you’re involved: If your school isn’t recycling – call us on 020 7641 2000.

• Walk to school: Instead of driving the school run, see whether it’s possible to walk or take public transport.

• Follow by example: Take a look at www.eco-schools.co.uk and see what your local school could be doing.


• Environment action line 020 7641 2000 Call us about recycling, rubbish collection, dumped rubbish, abandoned cars or graffiti.

• 24 hour noise line 020 7641 2000 www.westminster.gov.uk/noise Call us to report any noise problem in your local area.

• Go Green online www.westminster.gov.uk/gogreen

• Energy Saving Trust 020 7222 0101 www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

• DEFRA’s personal carbon calculator 08459 33 55 77 www.actionco2.direct.gov.uk

Contacts and links


• Planning 020 7641 2000 www.westminster.gov.uk/planning

• Recycling 020 7641 2000 www.westminster.gov.uk/recycling [email protected]

• Water www.thameswater.co.uk

• Eco-schools 01942 612 621 www.eco-schools.org.uk

This document is printed on 80% recycled post-consumer fibre10% TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) virgin fibre10% ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) fibreIt has FSC certification and NAPM recycled certification.

Westminster City Council City Hall, 64 Victoria Street,London, SW1E 6QP020 7641 6000 www.westminster.gov.uk

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GOGREEN - Welcome to Westminster.gov.uk · recycling your rubbish and managing parks, to promoting sustainability in our schools and ensuring the goods and services we procure as