Labour-run Westminster City Council is launching the latest Westminster Climate Fund, a grant scheme supporting local businesses, cultural institutions, and community organisations to reduce their carbon emissions and generate clean energy.
Opening for applications today, the fund will support projects that empower communities and businesses to build a sustainable and resilient environment in Westminster, which fosters a healthier and greener way of life.
The council aims to hold two funding rounds in 2025/26, with around £6 million available in total to give out.
Grants will focus on key areas including city-wide decarbonisation, community-led energy projects, and behaviour change programmes promoting greener living.
This funding is collected through the council’s carbon offsetting policy, as part of our city plan. Last year, the council increased its carbon price as part of the retrofit first policy, to encourage new buildings that use little or no operational carbon in their operations.
To date, the fund has supported projects that deliver carbon emissions reductions across Westminster. These include a grant of £120,000 to install solar panels on Soho Hospital, as well as a grant of over £250,000 to install LED lighting across St Marylebone School.
Cllr Ryan Jude, Cabinet for Climate Action, Ecology, Culture and Air Quality said:
This funding represents a major opportunity for Westminster organisations to save money, reduce their carbon emissions, and play a role in creating a sustainable future.
“Our net-zero target shows how serious the council is, but I hope we can build on initiatives like the sustainable city charter to bring organisations big and small along with us on this journey. This investment will help us build on our progress that has seen Westminster under Labour become the top-ranked council in the country for climate action. “
Applications will open on 28th May and will close on 18th July. More information about the fund and application criteria can be found on the council’s website: Westminster Climate Fund | Westminster City Council