Richmond Environment Network (REN)

Goal One – To improve capacity of local third sector environmental and sustainability organisations and to provide advocacy for them.

• Groups support - support and advice on starting, developing and managing local groups and their work, keeping them up to date with policy, funding (this aspect occupies most time) and other developments and also acting as the Secretariat for selected groups (eg. Fairtrade Steering Group).
• Environmental Groups Forum - provides a platform to enable REN to support these groups by sharing good practice whilst also providing an opportunity for groups to discuss their interests and concerns and participate in the development of local strategies.
• Advocacy - REN advocates for the local environmental voluntary sector when attending a number of strategic meetings representation, including: the Sustainable Richmond and the Voluntary Sector Strategic Partnership (both sub groups of the LSP), and the Community Development Network
• Resource Library - Our library contains items, such a laptop, projector, display screens that can be borrowed by community environmental groups within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. This will soon see the addition of tools and equipment.


Goal Two - To increase communication, engagement and networking of the public around environmental issues and work

• Environmental Forum - focuses on raising awareness of environmental and sustainability issues, through influential and inspiring speakers and debate.
• Event attendance - attendance and participation in events and fairs in the Borough to raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage participation in local groups to mitigate these issues
• Green Drinks (Richmond upon Thames) - provides a social opportunity to engage and recruit new interest.
• Green Parents (Richmond upon Thames) - provides a network opportunity and supportive environment for parents with young families.


Goal Three - To protect, conserve and increase biological diversity

• Richmond (upon Thames) Biodiversity Group - co-ordinates the development and implementation of Species (SAPs) or Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) that make up the Biodiversity Action Plan for the borough. These set to protect, preserve and encourage growth of important and significant wildlife habitats and species in the borough. The action plans work across different land ownership in the borough, with many of these land managers part of the group.


Goal Four - To promote prudent use of resources within the community, organisations and schools

• Eco Teams - This is an initiative for those wanting to reduce their impact on the environment, reduce household costs, and achieve something significant together. Small groups of like minded people are connected and supported through positive lifestyle changes.

A household taking part typically:

improves energy and water management, reducing CO2 emissions by 16.6%
reduces bills by £170 a year
reduce waste by 20%, while increasing the proportion of rubbish that is recycled
reduces water used by 15%

• Sustainability Briefing Papers - provide simple to understand information on sustainability, particularly improving the sustainability of the home in non technical language. Topics covered are; renewable energy, insulation, solar water heating (making hot water from light), solar photovoltaic’s (making electric from light), wind power and saving water.
• ZWIN (Zero Waste Initiative) - supports local voluntary & community groups or schools reduce costs by developing sound environmental policies and practices aimed at the reduction of waste and the improved use of resources. This is achieved through a free initial environmental assessment of a premises and operation, followed by a confidential report that enables a business to set up new policies designed to reduce waste, increase energy efficiency and recycling on a regular basis, while reducing costs. *ZWIN has it own page on Project Dirt*
• Building Responsibly Group - aims to promote greater understanding of sustainable, healthy buildings by those commissioning and undertaking the work and has lobbied the Council to incorporate higher sustainability specification in developments within the borough. The group comprises architects, planners and builders and those with good knowledge of sustainable buildings.
• Schools Environment Forum - provides an opportunity for REN to support the development of environmental projects in schools, sharing good practice between schools and linking schools with local environmental organisations who can provide resources and support. this project is currently on hold