Latest news and updates from KEF members and wider activity on environmental issues

For the latest updates from KEF members and others, read and subscribe to Kingston Environment News, the monthly e-newsletter of Transition Town Kingston and Kingston Environment Centre, for everyone interested in green events, activities and news around Kingston. For the most recent KEF news see the links on the left and at the bottom of this page.

KEF news

2022-23 - KEF revival - see https://e-voice.org.uk/kef/news/relaunching-kef/

2022 - KEF has downsized. In the absence of any interest in coordinating or representing this loose network, KEF is for now just this website/archive of resources and a Facebook page for local environmental queries, campaigns and discussions...

2021 - Several KEF collaborations are bearing fruit this autumn: GreenZone is appearing outside Kingston Library on Sunday 10th October; the Kingston green mapping project, first discussed at at a real-life meeting in one of John Lewis' community rooms some time ago is about to be published; and a Kingston Climate Emergency Centre looks very likely to be open soon. We are pleased to have brought together the groups and individuals that are making these things happen - KEF fulfilling its role as a convener and catalyst! Watch this space for further news.

A reminder about funding opportunities from Kingston Voluntary Action
Green groups large and small looking for funds are reminded to keep an eye on KVA's Funding page https://kva.org.uk/funding/ and regular Funding bulletins, which list current funding sources and occasional funding seminars.

2nd KEF on-line discussion, May 26th, 6.30pm, on Kingston GreenZone 2021?
Could a 2021 GreenZone event in the town centre help to galvanise the public, raise the profile of local green groups, recruit more volunteers, create a more connected and committed community, and encourage more environmental activity locally? How green could Kingston be? A panel of GreenZone experts and enthusiasts, led by Alison Whybrow of Transition Town Kingston,will be discussing these and other questions about how to revive the one-day GreenZone event, much missed last year. Come along to share ideas. There will also be an opportunity to share other local environmental news and updates in an Open Forum at the end and the evening will end at 8.00pm at the latest. Register for this event, hosted by Kingston Environment Forum, at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kingston-greenzone-2021-tickets-152907074175.

First KEF on-line talk con Kingston Kingston's Peoples Assembly on the Climate Emergency, April 2021
Bob Bollen and Simon Sinclair talked and answered questions about a new project in Kingston, Kingston's People's Assembly on the Climate Emergency. The main presentation was followed by an open forum, an opportunity to share other local environmental news and updates. Find out more at https://e-voice.org.uk/kef/calendar/item/44973353

2021, KEF talks?
KEF is considering hosting a few on-line talks/discussions on local environmental issues, perhaps quarterly. As an umbrella group/forum KEF is well placed to look at cross-cutting themes and/or to present new local green themes or groups or campaigns to each other and beyond. We have had some suggested topics already, but offers and ideas from KEF member groups or interested parties would be welcome too - contact the KEF coordinator via this email with your suggestions; ideally, KEF talks and discussions would be of local but broad environmental interest, and informative, positive, forward-looking, action-focussed and non-party-political.

2021 KEF participation in Kingston Council's Communities Covid Recovery Task Force
See separate news items and updates, with latest news also on Home page

2020 - is there a need to reconvene?
It can be useful to the borough and the Council to have a forum support and enocouragement to the when it does the right thing, and urge it to do even more. There are a lot of environment issues around the borough at the moment: new cycle lanes and opposition to them; development; maintenance of green spaces, grass verges, trees; air quality; action on last years' Climate Emergency Declaration; Seething Wells... ut, as we have found in the past, it is difficult to (a) get together and (b) arrive at a group view when the main interests of the member-groups are quite diverse and sometimes conflicting. If any of our member-groups would like to revive meetings and/or group projects and responses, do please get in touch. Otherwise, this website can remain as a resource and our Facebook page as a place to raise questions and concerns, and I can carry on maintaining them as KEF Coordinator, former Chair, Marilyn.

Read an interesting report from WWF on eco-footprints in the UK.

Click on the links below for news and updates from KEF member-groups and others.

You can also:

- get news about Habitats & Heritage

- sign up for Kingston Biodiversity Network updates at https://www.kingstonbiodiversitynetwork.org/

- read the Berrylands Nature Reserve blog ayt https://berrylandsnaturereserve.org/blog/

- get Guardian Green Light for national and international green news

- subscribe to New Scientist's Fix the Planet newsletter

Kingston's first ever Citizens’ Assembly on Air Quality, November 2019

Kingston's Citizens' Assembly first met for two days early in November 2019 to consider the widespread problem of local air pollution and come up with possible solutions...

Kingston Council declares a Climate Emergency

Well done, RBK, and everyone who helped make this happen!

New trial of cycling and walking access to Villiiers Road dump announced

New and longer trial of accessing Kingston's recycle centre by bike or on foot announced

Have your say on DEFRA consultation on clean air

If you care about the air we breathe, please respond to the DEFRA consultation on Clean Air Strategy which closes on August 14th.

Environment Trust presentation, June 2018

The Environment Trust spoke to KEF and guests about their Green Infrastructure, Energy and Water Programme in June 2018.

Ever wondered what happens to your recycling?

KEF has recently published FAQs on Kingston's waste and recycling system...

Save Kingston Environment Centre

Kingston Environment Centre appeals for support, Feb - March 2018

Transition Town Kingston Turns Ten

TTK Turns Ten - celebrate with us on 2nd June

Local environmental consultations Feb - March 2018

KEF responds to several London and Kingstonl consultation early in 2018 - and hope that you do too!

KEF response on London's Utra-Low Emissions Zone, December 2017

KEF has responded to TfL's consultation on London's Utra-Low Emissions Zone, December 2017

KEF response to Heathrow expansion consultation, December 2017

KEF objects to a third runway at Heathrow, indeed to any airport expansion, for many reasons...

Thank you from London's Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy

London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy thanks KEF Co-chair for taking part in the qualitative research that formed an important part of the public consultation on the draft London Environment Strategy.

KEF out and about, late 2017

KEF representatives continue to attend various meetings ....

Greener Kingston gives two cheers for plastic bag charge

KEF member group Greener Kingston gives two cheers for the new 5p charge for plastic bags - England could do better!

Walk to School Week, 15th to 19th May 2017

Walk to School Week this year is from 15th to 19th May – if you are a parent or carer, why not give it a try?

Letter in Surrey Comet, April 2016

Letter from KEF chair published in Surrey Comet and Kingston Guardian in April 2016

Kingston Voluntary Action 'heat or eat' annual conference

Young Place Shapers are coming to Kingston

Young Place Shapers (YPS), a new initiative of Save the World Club, is looking for individuals aged 18-24 years interested in taking part in community action whilst having fun and gaining experience that can support their future.

Green Spaces Strategy Review workshop

Workshop to review Royal Borough of Kingston Green Spaces Strategy

Kingston's first flood risk management strategy under development

Kingston council is consulting on the borough's first flood risk management strategy. For more details visit Kingston Council's website

From KEG to KEF - we change our name

In March 2014 we decided to change our name to reflect our role more accurately.

Kingston goes wild!

Residents can look forward to displays of wild flowers on some roadsides this summer...

Good news on cycling in Kingston

KEF welcomes news that Kingston has been awarded funding for ambitious plans to make cycling safer and pleasanter in the borough.

MP Zac Goldsmith launches "No ifs, no buts" competition for filmmakers

"No ifs, no buts" competition for film makers to make a 2-minute video making the strongest possible case against Heathrow expansion.

Break the Bag Habit!

This year one of the environment's biggest killers will be the rubbish we leave behind us. You can help to protect our beautiful countryside, rivers, parks, coastlines - and their unique wildlife.

For the Love of...

The Climate Coalition launches new name, new website and new campaign, "For the love of..."

Local campaigners give cautious welcome to plastic bag charge, June 2014

Local campaigners welcome plastic bag charge in England, but are disappointed that it will exclude paper and biodegradable bags and won't apply to small shops, and that, while we wait for effective action, plastic bag use continues to rise.

Young Place Shapers transform part of Kingston’s Queens Promenade

Volunteers for Young Place Shapers spent a sunny afternoon in late June transforming a neglected stretch of Queens Promenade to create ‘a bench with a view’ using their gardening, painting and creative skills.

KEF publishes statement on cycling in Kingston incl. mini-Holland scheme

In this paper KEF sets out recommendations for encouraging more cycling in Kingston including proposals for the new mini-Holland scheme. KEF statement on cycling in Kingston

Bee Happy! Help attract some friends for this little fella

Young Place Shapers are planning their next project which will involve creating a bee garden, helping to attract more friends for this little fella! You can find out more by downloading their Bee Happy flyer or visit their facebook page.

Kingston's "Mini-Holland" consultation, Jan-Feb 2015

Kingston's "Mini-Holland" consultation - find out more and comment

Beddington Lane incinerator project in doubt?

Latest news from Young Place Shapers

Young Place Shapers have moved to the Environment Trust.

Residents oppose plans for New Malden-Raynes Park cycle link

Some residents oppose plans for New Malden-Raynes Park cycle link, while Kingston Cycling Campaign petitions for the link

Three ways to try to save the renewables industry

Respond to the DECC consultation, sign a petition, write to your MP

KEF publishes group statement on local flood risk assessment

Concerned at the impacts of climate change and local development on local flood risks, a working party including KEF, Transition Town Kingston and Kingston Environment Centre… has produced a statement on local flood risk assessment, now published on the KEF website.

KEF on the air we breathe

October 2016, local environmentalists KEF publish their latest work, a statement on local air pollution and Kingston Council's plans to tackle it.

KEF has responded to DEFRA's consultation on air quality

Have you responded to DEFRA's consultation on air quality, either as an individual or as a local group?

Great Green New Year Gathering, January 2019, report

An account of The Great Green New Year Gathering in January, joinlty hosted by KEF members Transition Town Kingston and Kingston Environment Centre's is now published.

KEF takes a break for a while

KEF is cutting back its collective activities and meetings for a while, but its member-groups will continue to do useful work...

Kingston Council to debate declaring a climate emergency

You could help persuade Kingston Councillor to support the declaration.

Air Pollution FAQs go live

Air Pollution FAQs, as requested at the January Great Green New Year Gathering, are now published on this website.

Where does our plastic waste go?

A recent BBC TV programme revealed some alarming facta sbout what happens to the plastic matetial "recycled" in the UK and then exported...

KEF in the RBK Covid Recovery Taskforce...

KEF has been participating in the Council's Covid Recovery Taskforce and its Volunteering and Mental Health and Wellbeing subgroups.

RBK Communities Covid Recovery Taskforce - your ideas sought...

Ideas welcome, particularly from local environmental groups:

Host a community screening of David Attenborough’s new film A Life on Our Planet, FREE

WWF is offering community groups free digital screenings of the newly eleased David Attenborough film A Life on Our Planet,

A Green Recovery: the Future of Transport in Richmond and Kingston – Online Event

KEF will be represented at a Richmond and Kingston Greenpeace-hosted Zoom discussion on Tuesday 13th October 2020

Letter to Government calls for action on air pollution

Clean air campaign group Mums for Lungs has co-ordinated a nationwide alliance of organisations to call on the Government for a stronger Environment Bill. Over 100 groups, including KEF, have written to the Government, urging them to act on their claims of being world leaders on the environment and calling for the inclusion of World Health Organisation air quality guidelines to be enshrined in the Environment Bill.