This page provides you with links to key national and London organisations and networks that can help you find out more about sustainable develop and take action to promote a sustainable London.

Key organisations:

• Mayor of London
• London 2012 programme
• Commission for a Sustainable London 2012
• UK Government sustainable development portal
• UK Sustainable Development Commission
• European Union portal on Sustainable Development
• United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development

Taking Responsibility

• Business Link: - practical advice for new and small businesses.
• Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Programme (BREW): - business advice on improving resource efficiency measures, minimising waste production and improving the bottom line through a number of projects funded by the BREW programme.
• Environment Council: - their goal is to transform conventional decision-making to make the environment as important as economics and politics. Through dialogue the Environment Council helps all kinds of organisations make the difficult and complex decisions needed for a sustainable future.
• Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA): - works for local government improvement so councils can serve people and places better and provides innovative tools and shares best practice.
• Learning and Skills Council: - responsible for planning and funding high quality education and training in England.
• London Centre of Excellence: - working towards excellence in management leadership, political leadership and borough involvement in key areas such as sustainable procurement.
• London Civic Forum: - be involved in debates on proposed changes and issues which matter to Londoners, the London Civic Forum provides access to London government sites, key London umbrella organisations, London media, civic forums, other citizenship and politics resource links.
• London Community Participation Network: - set up by the Government Office for London, Shared Intelligence manages this learning network for community participation practitioners. In conjunction with the London Community Empowerment Networks, the network supports and encourages deeper community engagement and learning.
• Local Exchange Trading Systems: - local community-based mutual aid networks in which people exchange all kinds of goods and services with one another, without the need for money, thereby maximising the local skills base.
• Local Strategic Partnerships: - each London Borough as a Local Strategic Partnership, a group of key local and community organisations working towards sustainable outcomes. Contact your London Borough for more details.
• London Time Bank: - network to support mutual forms of volunteering in London, supporting communities to support themselves.
• The Innovation Unit:- promotes innovation to improve education and other public services. It acts as a catalyst for change drawing on talent from both the public and private sectors.
• The RSA (The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce): - works to remove the barriers to social progress by exploring ideas, innovation and social change through an ambitious programme of projects, events and lectures.
• Urban Forum: - umbrella body for community and voluntary groups with interests in urban and regional policy and regeneration. Provides support and resources to members.
• Volunteer England: - find out about volunteering opportunities in your area.

Developing Respect

• A beginner’s guide to sustainable communities: - support for local government in promoting sustainable community development from the Improvement and Development Agency.
• Academy for Sustainable Communities: - national centre for delivering the skills and knowledge needed to make better places.
• Calling the Shots: - a multi-media education and information resource designed to engage young people and stimulate discussion about their attitudes towards guns.
• CAN: - stimulates new, entrepreneurial ways to tackle social problems more effectively and more efficiently
• Cleaner, Safer, Greener Communities: - sharing best practice on creating quality spaces in which people want to live and can be proud - and which others will respect.
• Commission for Racial Equality: - helps individuals, employers and public bodies tackle discrimination and value diversity in an integrated and cohesive society.
• Disability Rights Commission: - established to work towards the elimination of discrimination against disabled people.
• Employers Forum on Age: - independent network of leading employers who recognise the value of an age diverse workforce. In addition to supporting employers, the EFA influences Government, business and trade unions, campaigning for real practical change.
• Equal Opportunities Commission: - works to eliminate sex discrimination in England and Wales.
• Every Action Counts: - helping community groups lead the way to a better future, providing ideas, tools and training materials to help bring about sustainable change.
• Home Zones: - an initiative aiming to “reclaim” the streets by to striking a balance between vehicular traffic and everyone else who uses the street, the pedestrians, cyclists, business people and residents.
• LGBT Advisory Group: - a voluntary group of independent lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advisors working with the Metropolitan Police Service. They advise on and monitor police issues that affect LGBT people who live, work, or are visiting London.
• London Community Safety Partnerships: - each London borough has a partnership providing support for practitioners tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
• London Equalities Commission: - set up by the Mayor of London to advocate, encourage, support and promote equalities in London.
• RISE: - London United Against Racism, RISE is London’s free festival celebrating diversity in the capital.
• Secured by Design: - UK Police flagship initiative supporting the principles of "designing out crime" by use of effective crime prevention and security standards

Managing Resources

• Beat the Drought: - campaign providing simple tips for households on using water efficiently.
• Bioregional: - an entrepreneurial, independent environmental organisation, developing commercially viable sustainable products and services to help enable One Planet living – living within our fair share of the Earth’s resources.
• BRE (Building Research Establishment): - world leading research, consultancy, training, testing and certification organisation delivering sustainability and innovation across the built environment. Find out about EcoHomes, BREEAM and energy performance of buildings and sustainable procurement.
• CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment): - working towards an improvement in people's quality of life through good design. Publications and teaching resources are available on-line.
• Capital Waste Facts: - one stop shop of information and data about recycling and waste management in London, enabling you to compare performance and view best practice across the Capital.
• Carbon Trust: - making business sense of climate change, the Carbon Trust provides businesses with guidance and tailored support on energy management.
• CIRIA – Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems: - promoting good practices in SUDS techniques and management practices.
• CO2 Calculator: - calculate your carbon footprint and learn how to reduce it by taking simple steps.
• Code for Sustainable Homes: - introduced in April 2007, the Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the whole home as a complete package.
• East London Green Grid: and the West London Green Corridor: - providing networks of green open spaces for local residents.
• EMAS and ISO14001: - the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is a voluntary initiative designed to improve companies’ environmental performance. Guidance and details on compliance are provided on-line.
• Energy Saving Trust: - advice, funding and support for households, local authorities, housing developers and community organisations on saving energy and installing renewable energy.
• Environment Agency: - guidance and advice for business and industry on water regulations, standards and environmental protection.
• Freecycle: - worldwide grassroots movement that matches people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them in their local area. Their goal is to keep usable items out of landfill.
• Groundwork:  - supports local communities to make a difference to their local area through regeneration projects.
• London Biodiversity Partnership: - aims to conserve and enhance the capital's wildlife and natural places for future generations to benefit from and enjoy, providing tips and guidance.
• London Community Recycling Network: - a not-for-profit, second tier organisation, dedicated to supporting and promoting community-based sustainable waste management activities
• London Energy Partnership: - a consortium of businesses, government and public bodies using the power of partnership to develop the energy economy in London. Reports and research on making London a sustainable energy city.
• London Remade: - developing markets for recycled content products, providing tailored support to help grow green enterprises and introducing green practices to existing businesses.
• London Supplementary Planning Guidance on sustainable design and construction: - includes planning guidance on water efficiency, as well as energy conservation and reducing resource consumption.
• London Wildlife Trust: - campaigns for the conservation of London’s green spaces and provides lots of opportunities for getting involved in your local area.
• London Wild Web: - find out about biodiversity in your borough and get involved in conservation activities.
• Mayor’s Green Procurement Code: - launched in 2001 to encourage businesses in London to purchase goods made from recycled materials. There are over 550 signatories to date.
• National Energy Action: - campaigning to eradicate fuel poverty, NEA develops and promotes energy efficiency services to tackle the heating and insulation problems of low-income households.
• Planet DIY: - practical advice and useful information for residents on making simple and effective changes for a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Your London: - a database of London’s parks and open spaces with search facilities on location and amenities.

Getting Results

• Basic Skills Agency - lack of basic skills is a major barrier to access. The Agency is committed to finding, developing and disseminating good practice in literacy, language and numeracy.
• Business Council for Sustainable Energy: - brings together key players in the energy sector to help strengthen the UK's strategic agenda for sustainable energy.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): - UK government website providing guidance, legislation updates, best practice and support for businesses pursuing CSR.
• Eco Design: - a directory of eco designers and businesses and details of forthcoming events.
• Evelyn Oldfield Unit: - provides professional support and training for community refugee organisations.
• Federation for Community Development Learning: - supporting the development of communities: advancing and promoting community development learning at local, regional and national levels, and creating opportunities for good quality training and qualifications.
• Local Strategic Partnerships and Citizen Forums: contact your London borough to find out how to play a role in decision-making in your local area.
• London Development Agency: - the Mayor of London's agency responsible for driving London's sustainable economic growth.
• London Food Link: - the programme and its members aim to increase the availability of sustainable food in London; tackle the barriers preventing access to healthy and sustainable food for all Londoners; and celebrate and protect London's diverse food culture.
• London Innovation Centres: - focal points for innovation and entrepreneurial activity, which offers young businesses easy access to a range of services specific to their needs.
• London Living Wage: - the Living Wage Campaign aims to make poverty wages history, “Our vision is of a city and country where everyone in work is paid enough to provide adequately for themselves and their family.”
• London Sustainability Exchange: - provides organisations and networks of individuals with the motivation, knowledge, and connections they need to create innovative solutions and put sustainability into practice.
• London 21: - London 21 Sustainability Network promotes, supports and networks community-based initiatives for a greener, healthier and more sustainable Greater London. Projects and resources are available to download.
• Social Enterprise Coalition: - UK's national body for social enterprise, providing support and best practice, and represents the work of our members whilst influencing national policy.
• Sustainable Technologies Programme: - a major research initiative by the UK Economic and Social Research Council. It funds innovative and policy-relevant research on the social and economic processes that shape, foster or inhibit more sustainable technologies.
• hUK Social Investment Forum: - promoting sustainable and socially responsibility investment and finance. UK SIF has over 200 members and runs events, offering training and support.
• Visit London: - up to date information on what’s on in London and how to get involved.
• Volunteer England: - find out about volunteering opportunities in your area.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development: - global association of over 200 companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development. The Council provides a platform for companies to explore sustainable development, share knowledge, experiences and best practices.