News
Southwark Climate Collective set to help SMEs reduce carbon emissions
The project has been funded by a £653,000 grant from the Mayor of London as part of its UK Shared Prosperity fund (UKSPF) and is in response to specific challenges faced by SMEs when it comes to the decarbonisation of their businesses.
According to the UN-backed SME Climate Hub, a number of barriers[1] are blocking SMEs from taking the necessary climate action causing an ‘Intention Gap.’ It was found that SME decarbonisation is being hampered by a lack of skills and knowledge (63%), funding (48%) and time (40%). SMEs are vital for achieving London’s 2030 net zero target, accounting for over 90 percent of the business population and an estimated 40 percent of the UK’s non-domestic emissions.
The project is now open and recruiting 160 SMEs to get involved, with a target to engage 25 per cent from Black, Asian or minority ethnic-owned or led businesses, as London has the greatest proportion of entrepreneurs from Ethnic Minority groups.
The free, tailored sustainability support offered to the Southwark SMEs will allow them to take action in decarbonising their business operations and help prepare them for a low carbon transition. Decarbonisation pathways will be provided, and measurable targets set to stimulate action, while also enabling SMEs to procure ‘green’ low-carbon services, which in turn will stimulate the local green economy. The findings, and most effective tools of the year-long project, will then be rolled out to support the decarbonisation of SMEs across the UK.
If you’re business might be interested in taking part, read more on the website SouthwarkClimateCollective.co.uk or email us at info@southwarkclimatecollective.co.uk or if your business is ready to dive in register today on the website.
[1] The current pressures on small businesses are both critical and complex; covid recovery, Brexit, energy crisis, supply chain disruption and the increased cost-of-living. The Energy Saving Trust 2022 report also indicated the need for a clear regulatory timetable to support SME pathway to net zero, calling for the government to establish firm dates for future low carbon standards. It is essential for SMEs to be able to respond to coming regulation.
London Bridge arches set for £1.5 million renovation
Two London Bridge railway arches that used to house a celebrated London nightclub are being renovated to provide space for businesses.
A new LBGTQ+ space for the Low Line
Native Land and Southwark Council are delighted to be working together with the GLA and Southwark LGBT Network to bring forward a programme to deliver the borough’s first permanent LGBTQ+ cultural space.
The Architecture The Railways Built
Railway expert Tim Dunn visits stations, viaducts, signal boxes, tunnels, pedestrian passages and workshops among other stunning structures that owe their existence to the railway.
Lowline Short listed for a Pineapple Award
The shortlists for The Pineapples awards for place have been announced for 2023, with 70 projects vying for a coveted golden trophy.
BBC: London Bridge: Derelict railway arches restored to past glory
A derelict set of railway arches that was once home to one of London’s finest wine and spirits merchants has been restored as part of a £3m investment.
New artworks by Mark Titchner celebrate community along the Low Line
South London artist Mark Titchner has joined with Team London Bridge to celebrate community solidarity in a new series of artworks on display along Newcomen Street and Bermondsey Street
Archive
Southwark Climate Collective set to help SMEs reduce carbon emissions
The project has been funded by a £653,000 grant from the Mayor of London as part of its UK Shared Prosperity fund (UKSPF) and is in response to specific challenges faced by SMEs when it comes to the decarbonisation of their businesses.
According to the UN-backed SME Climate Hub, a number of barriers[1] are blocking SMEs from taking the necessary climate action causing an ‘Intention Gap.’ It was found that SME decarbonisation is being hampered by a lack of skills and knowledge (63%), funding (48%) and time (40%). SMEs are vital for achieving London’s 2030 net zero target, accounting for over 90 percent of the business population and an estimated 40 percent of the UK’s non-domestic emissions.
The project is now open and recruiting 160 SMEs to get involved, with a target to engage 25 per cent from Black, Asian or minority ethnic-owned or led businesses, as London has the greatest proportion of entrepreneurs from Ethnic Minority groups.
The free, tailored sustainability support offered to the Southwark SMEs will allow them to take action in decarbonising their business operations and help prepare them for a low carbon transition. Decarbonisation pathways will be provided, and measurable targets set to stimulate action, while also enabling SMEs to procure ‘green’ low-carbon services, which in turn will stimulate the local green economy. The findings, and most effective tools of the year-long project, will then be rolled out to support the decarbonisation of SMEs across the UK.
If you’re business might be interested in taking part, read more on the website SouthwarkClimateCollective.co.uk or email us at info@southwarkclimatecollective.co.uk or if your business is ready to dive in register today on the website.
[1] The current pressures on small businesses are both critical and complex; covid recovery, Brexit, energy crisis, supply chain disruption and the increased cost-of-living. The Energy Saving Trust 2022 report also indicated the need for a clear regulatory timetable to support SME pathway to net zero, calling for the government to establish firm dates for future low carbon standards. It is essential for SMEs to be able to respond to coming regulation.
London Bridge arches set for £1.5 million renovation
Two London Bridge railway arches that used to house a celebrated London nightclub are being renovated to provide space for businesses.
A new LBGTQ+ space for the Low Line
Native Land and Southwark Council are delighted to be working together with the GLA and Southwark LGBT Network to bring forward a programme to deliver the borough’s first permanent LGBTQ+ cultural space.
Listen as you walk in Bermondsey
Take a stroll along the stretch of the Low Line from Tanner Street to Blue Bermondsey, listening to some secret histories that you might have otherwise missed.
Listen to the Low Line: Musicity
Launched as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2019, Musicity x Low Line commissioned musicians and sound artists to create 15 site specific tracks for locations along the railway viaduct in Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey.
Holyrood St gets the Hollywood treatment
Projects and partners are coming together to transform Holyrood Street from nondescript back street to a must-go destination on the Low Line.
Works to transform the Blue’s historic Market Place are taking shape
The Blue, situated along the Low Line in South Bermondsey is undergoing significant regeneration works centred on its historic Market Place. Improvements include greening and better connections.
Adaptive re-use of empty and derelict arches
Latest instalment on the Low Line sees three arches in Bankside developed to bring new versatile and affordable spaces to the neighbourhood to support community and cultural uses
The Low Line profiled in Monocle’s Urbanist podcast
We invited Monocle’s Andrew Tuck to tour the Low Line with us in Bankside and here’s the result – a 30 minute dedicated podcast.
Community celebrates transformed marketplace in Bermondsey
The Blue and Make It Blue markets in Bermondsey have been completely redefined and a brand new clock tower erected.
Low Line Open House London 2021 Events
Open House Festival London takes place 4 – 12 September and there are a range of events along the Low Line being hosted by our friends and partners.
Low Line Commons scoops New London Awards
Low Line Commons , the green vision and strategy for the Low Line developed by architects PDP London, was named winner of both Planning and Overall categories. The Low Line Commons, which will connect neighbourhoods along the path of the Victorian railway viaduct from Bankside, through London Bridge and on to Bermondsey, is the first unbuilt project to be named overall winner.
We need your support: Seeding Low Line Commons
We need your support to help us secure additional funding for projects connecting people and nature and adapting to a changing climate along the Low Line.
Low Line Commons shortlisted in New London Architecture Awards
The strategy to embed nature and urban greening at the heart of the Low Line has been shortlisted in the New London Architecture awards 2021.
Three strategic reports focussing on greening, active travel and planning and development have been published to help shape and guide our work realising the Low Line.
Bikes for Business comes to the Low Line
Businesses along the Low Line can switch to a fast, clean alternative to motorised deliveries with Bikes for Business and benefit from advice and subsides via our cargo bike experts.
New post pandemic spaces for Bankside and the Low Line
Better Bankside appoints leading next generation architectural practice JA Projects to transform key stretches of the Low Line at America St, Wardens Grove and Ewer St, created for and with the people of Bankside.
7 Holyrood Street – a café emerging from the rubble
Part lush vertical garden, part public space, part café-kiosk, and part social enterprise – 7 Holyrood Street will be an exciting new addition to the Low Line.
A green linear park for the Low Line
The importance of access to green space and nature in supporting the mental health and physical well-being of our communities has been well documented and has come even more to the fore during the Covid-19 pandemic and wider climate crisis.
Unlocking the Low Line through nature and movement
Architects PDP London, with local firms Macfarlane and Associates, Greengage and Studio 4215, are developing the Low Line Commons – while transport consultants Urban Movement are exploring how the Low Line can best support active travel.
A Food Cluster for the Low Line?
We recently brought together more than 50 people from local businesses and organisations at the Hop Exchange in Bankside to explore the emergence of a cluster of food-related businesses in and around the railway viaduct of Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey.
A new Green Vision for the Low Line – RIBA competition winner announced
PDP London architects’ ‘Low Line Commons’ wins RIBA international design competition to deliver a green strategy along the path of London’s historic railway arches
A Green Vision for the Low Line – competition shortlist announced
The waiting is over! View the five shortlisted entries in this international design competition to develop a green and creative vision for the Low Line – we’d love to know what you think.
International design competition launched to develop green and creative vision for Low Line
Ewer Street rain garden
Better Bankside and the Low Line Steering Group, working with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have launched an international design competition to develop a green and creative vision for the Low Line. The competition is supported by Lund Trust, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.
Some 65 people from the local business and residential communities in Bankside, London Bridge, Bermondsey and Elephant and Castle attended the inaugural meeting of the Friends of the Low Line on 1 May 2019 on Scoresby Street.