Southwark Council announced today (January 19) that all of the electricity in its offices and buildings is now powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. 

The council also plans to do the same in the communal areas of its housing stock by September of next year.  

Southwark’s member for climate emergency, planning and transport announced the news at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.  

Cllr Johnson Situ said: “Southwark’s commitment to respond to the climate emergency has to be one that touches everything we do.  

“From our policies, decisions we take, and how we manage our council operation.  

“That is why Southwark remains a leading local authority in divesting away from fossil fuels, and more recently our announcement to plant 10,000 trees. 

“However, to reach our commitment to net zero we know we will need to go further.  

“So today I’m pleased to announce that electricity in our offices and buildings, from our town hall to day centres, to park huts to our street lighting, will now be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.  

“Southwark Council’s electricity power is changing to wind and solar farms, away from dirty fossil fuels like coal.  

“Electricity in communal spaces across the council’s housing stock will also be powered by renewable energy from September next year.” 

Cllr Situ said the council will also be working with schools over the next few months to look at renewable energy options.  

“The council has no control over energy within homes or businesses, but we will be encouraging people to look at moving to more renewable energy suppliers, using reputable tools.  

“These outline the main benefits of cleaner energy and possible savings associated with making these changes,” he said.  

Cllr Situ added that the council’s commitment to responding to the climate emergency is rooted in the need to act.  

He said: “So today’s announcement is the next stage in our commitment to respond to the climate emergency and ensuring that we are acting in not just words but also in deeds.” 

The leader of the council said the step is one of many to be taken to get Southwark to zero carbon by 2030 and said everyone in the borough must do their part.  

Cllr Kieron Williams said: “Delighted for us to be able to make that announcement today, a really important step, and one of many we’ll be taking over the weeks, months, and years ahead as part of our fundamental commitment to do everything we can to get Southwark to zero carbon by 2030.  

“We’ll need real Government action along the way – this is not something we can do on our own and we’ll need everyone in the borough to do their part.”