Croydon Green Streets

Following on from Pesticide Free Croydon Green Streets has made a fantastic start in 2025. Laurier Road in Addiscombe was our pilot and the results were fantastic. Beautiful flowers, lots of pollinators and great community involvement and no pesticides. If you want to learn more or want to get involved contact us at Croydon Climate Action.

Croydon Council Net Zero

It's over 5 years since Croydon Council declared a Climate Emergency and as part of the Croydon Green Network we are campaigning for an effective Croydon Council Climate Plan to achieve Net Zero. The council produced a Climate Plan which was approved in June 2025.

Local authorities have power or influence over a third of all climate emissions in their area and it is vital that they consider all activities. Scope 1 are the result of emissions from direct activity, scope 2 from energy use and scope 3 for indirect emissions from third party and outsourced activities which usually cover over 70% emissions. All areas need to be included and Croydon Council need to do more to report on scope 3.

We want to see the plan continually improved, it needs to have specific realistic goals with deadlines that address the net zero challenge. Progress needs to be measured, reported and monitored.

Finance is key and all available funds including available grants need to be used and the net zero policy needs to be embedded in all areas of the organisation.

We will continue to campaign for a more comprehensive plan and for regular progress and oversight meetings take place with council.

Croydon Council Action

Croydon River Action

During 2025 we tested our local streams, brooks and rivers.

Our local rivers are often sadly neglected and our campaign started following the two Wandle River pollution events that took place in February and April 2025.

We are taking part in the citizen science survey by Earthwatch. Earthwatch hold the Great UK WaterBlitz twice a year in Spring and Autumn.

Volunteers took water samples and used the tests check Nitrate and Phosphate levels. Samples were taken from Wandle Park, Waddon Ponds, South Norwood Country Park and Norbury Brook. Results over the two periods and the different sites ranged from low to high.

In 2026 the Croydon River Action campaign will continue to monitor local waterways through the WaterBlitz, share results with the community and local policymakers and press for action.

Find out more in our Freshriver Watch Presentation

Croydon Clean Air

ULEZ was expanded to all London Boroughs in 2023 and as a result Nitrogen Dioxide levels in Outer London are 24% lower than they would have been. In Croydon there has been a 32% improvement in air quality showing that interventions work.

But Croydon is still one of the worst areas and still exceeds WHO, World Health Organisation limits. As a result Croydon Council have declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for the whole of the borough. But a comprehensive air quality report has not been produced since 2022. We support the Breath London campaign.

A major source of pollution for the last few years has been the Beddington Incinerator which has had 916 breaches of emission limits between 2022 and 2024. Take a look at the South London Plumb Plotter to follow the pollution passing over Croydon.

Trees4Croydon

Following out Trees 4 Croydon campaign in 2023 trees were planted in Canterbury Road Recreation Ground and at Croydon University Hospital in North Croydon.

Remaining funds will be spent on planting trees through a partner who will ensure they are cared for while they become established.

Plant Based Croydon

The Plant Based Croydon campaign launched in late 2024, with a simple ask of Croydon Council - to show leadership and take action on the climate by committing to serving only plant based refreshments at its own events.

This would be a small step, yet the message would be significant in acknowledging the large environmental impact of the meat and dairy industries.