£400,000 from Green Fund Spent on Environmental Projects
Cost of bike hangars and wildflower meadows covered by investors
More bike hangars have been made available in the borough. Picture: H&F Council
June 4, 2025
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has spent almost £400,000 on environmental projects from bike hangars to wildflower meadows thanks to funds raised via its public investment programme.
The borough launched the first round of its Green Investment scheme in November 2023, inviting residents to put money in with the promise of reliable annual returns.
Since then, the local authority has raised more than £2.5 million, and its latest round launched Monday (2 June) with a target of a further £500,000. Its total investment target is £5m.
Cllr Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, said Hammersmith and Fulham has raised more money than any other council for green projects, which helps the local authority deliver “a stronger, safer and kinder borough”.
Under the scheme Hammersmith and Fulham residents and businesses choose the amount they wish to invest which then goes towards a range of eco-initiatives across the borough for a five-year period.
In return they get a fixed return, set at 4.1 per cent for the most recent tranche, to be paid on a six-monthly basis. A deal with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation also means that every pound invested will be matched with an additional 50p.
Since the first round was launched the council has spent £393,250.67 helping fund 10 local projects, with dozens more lined up.
Those to have received investment to-date include £100,000 towards more cycle hangars, with 120 now in the borough, £80,000 for works at Eelbrook Common such as new wildflower meadows, and £72,000 for the depaving, greening and natural drainage at Purcell Crescent.
Other ongoing projects backed with up to £25,000 each include pond restoration in Ravenscourt Park and greening in Blythe Road.
Money from the latest tranche is earmarked to go towards initiatives such as new green walls at schools and cargo bike parking spaces.
As with all investments there is an element of risk to those putting money into the scheme. However, the council says on its website that local authorities, unlike companies, cannot be declared bankrupt to avoid paying back debts.
Cllr Ree said, “We’ve raised more than any other council for vital green projects – and now, we’re back with a new investment opportunity. Our investors can see where their money goes – transformed streets and new green spaces across Hammersmith & Fulham.
“This proven track record shows that their money helps improve the local area while earning a fixed return. It’s a rare win-win as we’re making Hammersmith and Fulham a stronger, safer and kinder borough.”
Karl Harder, Co-founder and Director at Abundance Investment, the platform hosting the scheme, said, “Hammersmith and Fulham Council have been one of the pioneers of this way of funding climate action.
“The breadth of projects they have supported – from active travel through to innovative urban drainage and greening – really shows the range of responsibilities councils have to deliver effective climate action in the capital, and the value of engaging the public to help more and more residents understand the benefits of this work.”
Ben Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter