London Environmental Network is proud to host the new Environmental Action Incubator program, with six projects that help with the local green recovery. On October 6th, we gathered at Urban Roots London (social distant style) to celebrate the official launch of these projects!

The London Environmental Network's Environmental Action Incubator supports projects that demonstrate a positive impact on the local environment. These community projects ensure that resiliency and sustainability are prioritized in London as we move forward with a green economic recovery.

Through the Environmental Action Incubator (EAI), the London Environmental Network provides coaching and support to six groups a year to accomplish projects of their choice from the following areas: emission reduction, enhancing waterways, and waste reduction. Together, these projects yield measurable environmental results and serve as a contact point for Londoners to get involved with environmental causes in their communities.

Five EAI project leaders standing six feet apart outside at Urban Roots London(L-R: Jacob Damstra, Daniel Hall, Katie Singer, Mary Ann Hodge, and Gabor Sass).

“Launching Urban Roots London’s Community Composting Program through the Environmental Action Incubator is about more than the individual project. It is not just the number of families and organizations we have participating, or how many landowners we can educate about composting, or how much waste we can divert from landfill. Those are all important, to be sure. What is more significant, especially as society prepares for social and economic recovery after the COVID pandemic, is connecting with like-minded organizations and individuals to collaborate and amplify efforts to create a green and just recovery, and grow a sustainable, healthy, connected community.” says Jacob Damstra, from Urban Roots London.

Despite the unprecedented closures and impacts of COVID-19, the EAI program and its projects were collectively able to reach 19,000 Londoners and five projects were either fully or partially implemented by September 2020. These groups are provided with the coaching, administrative, and communications support needed to sustain their project into and beyond 2021.

“Having an electric cargo bike means we can get to all of our community and outreach events by bike, no matter where it is in the city. It reduces our emissions, helps showcase what is possible by bike and is a shared resource for local environmental groups.” explains Daniel Hall, Executive Director at London Cycle Link.

Daniel Hall of London Cycle Link gets ready to ride their new e-cargo bike.Daniel Hall of London Cycle Link gets ready to ride their new e-cargo bike, a project supported through the EAI program.

Not only do these projects align with municipal goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, divert waste from landfills, and enhance biodiversity locally - they are also a shining example of green and just community initiatives that benefit both the environment and people in a time of crisis and recovery. A green and just recovery is a movement which calls for a “new economy that helps solve the climate emergency and biodiversity crises” while improving the well-being of all people and stimulating economic recovery. “All Londoners deserve a green and just recovery, and these projects demonstrate that there are many local actions we can take to ramp up efforts to address the climate crisis and get Londoners working. Urban agriculture, green infrastructure and cycling infrastructure are just a few examples of projects that have environmental, social and economic benefits.” says Skylar Franke, Executive Director at the London Environmental Network. 

GET INVOLVED - To learn more about each project, see the project summaries and contact information here.  The EAI projects are seeking participants, volunteers, and social media support to help them reach their environmental and community goals. With your support, these projects will be able to reach Londoners of all ages as we strive to create a greener and more resilient city to live in. If you have an idea for a project that reduces emissions, enhances waterways, and reduces waste, stay tuned for the 2021 EAI applications to open up! 

As we look to a green recovery, projects that benefit the health of the environment and the community will become the new normal. The EAI program is a thriving example of community-based projects that help us to “reimagine our communities, economy and ourselves to create a sustainable, resilient, equitable future”. 

On-farm Manager, Denis shovels the compost material from their Community Compost Program to aerate the pile.On-farm Manager, Denis shovels the compost material from their Community Compost Program to aerate the pile. 

Environmental Action Incubator Projects 

Emission Reduction
Enhancing Waterways
Waste Reduction

The Environmental Action Incubator Program is supported through funding from the City of London’s Community Grants.