Southwark Green Investment
Southwark Green Investment is your chance to make a low-risk, fixed return and fund green projects in our borough. We're looking to raise £6 million by 2030 through a series of investments to help fund local climate work.
We held our first round of investment in February 2024, where we reached our target of £1 million in just eight weeks. This was five weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to a record breaking number of local residents who invested.
In our second phase, we’re raising up to £500,000 to deliver local climate projects. This includes exploring an expansion of Library of Things in the borough and key nature recovery and climate resilience projects. As well as a major green upgrade at Camberwell Cemeteries and Crematorium.
From as little as £5 you can get involved and invest in your community, help us deliver our climate goals – and make some money along the way. Anyone is welcome to invest, whether from within or outside the borough. This includes residents, businesses and community groups.
Invest from £5 now to help projects in Southwark and get a 4% rate yearly return
In this section
- What is Southwark Green Investment?
- Investment terms
- What projects will be funded?
- How to invest
- Frequently asked questions
What is Southwark Green Investment?
Southwark Green Investment is a chance for anyone to invest in green projects in Southwark and receive a low-risk, fixed return. It is a local authority security between the investor and the council. This means you are lending money to the council so your capital is at risk, but the risk is much lower than lending money to a company. It is also known as a Community Municipal Investment, which is like a green bond.
We are aiming to raise £6 million by 2030 across several phases. This makes it the UK's biggest-ever council community investment scheme for green projects. It follows other successful council investment schemes like this right across the country.
Investment terms
The latest phase of the scheme opened on 11 September 2024. It offers a fixed annual return of 4% rate interest a year across a five-year term. During this five-year term, your capital will be held in the investment.
We will be raising up to £500,000 to deliver local climate projects. This includes exploring an expansion of Library of Things, Library of Things in the borough and key nature recovery and climate resilience projects. As well as a major green upgrade at Camberwell Cemeteries and Crematorium.
What projects will be funded?
It will help fund climate projects in Southwark. This could include a lot of different projects from our climate programme, including:
- renewable energy and heating projects. Including things like solar panels and heat pumps
- green building projects that help our homes and buildings use less energy
- active travel schemes that encourage cycling or walking. Like more cycle hangars and electric vehicle charging points
- waste projects that help to prevent, reduce or recycle waste
- projects that help to protect against things like flooding and overheating. Also known as climate resilience projects
- projects that protect and enhance our wildlife and natural environment
How to invest
We're working with ethical crowdfunding platform Abundance Investment, who are arranging the investment for us. There is a dedicated page on their website for this investment.
To get started, you will need to set up an account with Abundance Investment, who are arranging this investment on behalf of Southwark Council. It is a simple, free process.
As part of this, Abundance will perform an online ID check, which is required as part of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations.
You can then deposit money and invest right away. You deposit money into your Abundance account from your bank account to invest.
Returns are paid every six months across the term of the investment. They will be paid into your Abundance account for you to withdraw or reinvest as you wish.
For support, visit the Abundance help centre, email support@abundanceinvestment.com or call 0203 475 8666. A member of their customer support team will be able to help.
Risk warning
Investments are long term and may be hard to sell. This is not a savings account. Changes in market interest rates may affect the value of your investment if you sell before maturity. This content has been approved as a Financial Promotion by Abundance who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (525432). Approval date: 6 September 2024.
Page last updated: 11 September 2024
