Kingston’s free Sustainable September: what’s on

Sustainable September will bring a month of free environmental activities to Kingston upon Thames from 1 to 30 September. Organised by the Royal Borough of Kingston at various locations across the borough, the programme is open to the general public and includes Repair Cafes, a family-friendly cycle ride, eco-home open days and documentary screenings.

The council says free tickets can be booked online through its dedicated Sustainable September website. Individual start times and venue addresses were not included in the announcement.

Repair Cafes, cycling and eco-home visits

The programme offers several ways to explore practical responses to climate change. Repair Cafes will return during the month, alongside a family-friendly cycle ride and opportunities to visit eco homes.

These activities reflect two major sources of emissions identified in Kingston. According to the council, petrol and diesel vehicles generate around 37% of the borough’s climate-changing emissions, while approximately 35% comes from fossil fuels used to heat and power homes and buildings.

Walking and cycling more, changing household habits, installing solar panels and using heat pumps are among the possible actions highlighted in the council’s announcement. The scheduled activities give residents a chance to consider those subjects through local examples rather than a single central event.

A 50-minute film on climate and nature

Sustainable September will also feature screenings of The People’s Emergency Briefing. The 50-minute documentary examines how climate and nature breakdown affect everyday life in the UK.

The wider campaign follows a summer in which more than half of England and all of Wales experienced drought in August after four record-breaking heatwaves. The council also cited a UK Health Security Agency assessment estimating more than 2,800 heat-associated deaths across the UK during May and June, almost twice the previous year’s figure.

Kingston’s own figures show a longer-term shift. Councillor Mike Massimi, the borough’s portfolio holder for climate action, biodiversity and regulatory services, said emissions from the council’s operations had fallen by 44% against its 2018 baseline. Emissions across the wider borough were down by 21%, based on the latest available data from 2024.

Massimi said the council could not tackle climate change alone, pointing to travel, home heating and consumption as areas where combined everyday choices have an effect.

How to plan a visit during September

Sustainable September runs throughout the calendar month, so residents can choose between repair, cycling, home-energy and documentary activities according to their interests. The confirmed programme is free and intended for the general public.

Exact start times, individual venue addresses, transport advice and accessibility arrangements were not provided in the source announcement. Before attending, visitors should check the council’s dedicated Sustainable September website for the relevant event listing and book their free tickets online.

Source: Royal Borough of Kingston News