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COVID-19 and BAME Communities

5th June 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

During the pandemic, we have learned that there are disproportionate effects of coronavirus on the BAME community. This has led to an investigation into the causes of why this might be. It has been suggested that the structural issues that often affect the BAME community, coupled with disadvantages within the community, such as lower social/economic status, are relevant factors. Public Health England has published a review of disparities in risks and outcomes of coronavirus, which tried to address some of the problems. We look forward to seeing how these impacts can be mitigated and also how these communities are being supported with possible solutions. It is even more important that we engage meaningfully with communities as ‘structural inequality doesn’t disappear in a pandemic, it is exacerbated’. We hope that more recommendations can be made, and that government, business and communities can work together to mitigate these circumstances.

Let’s continue the conversation.

By Chioma Wuche, CRP Project Support Assistant.

Walkable London

5th June 2020 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

CRP and its government, business and community partners welcome the paradigm shift in urban space to walking and cycling. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a London that is fairer, safer and healthier.

London’s Boroughs and Business Improvement Districts are working at a phenomenal pace with the Mayor of London, his Walking and Cycling Commissioner Dr Will Norman, and Transport for London, to deliver his Streetspace programme as a key plank of the Covid Response.

Walkable London and Cyclable London is now in sight for many more of London’s communities.  Please see CRP’s Clean Air Route Finder to help you plan a healthy journey.

Let’s keep working together!

New starter: A big welcome to Ross!

5th June 2020 / Posted by Ross Phillips

Ross Phillips joined CRP as a Project Officer at the start of June 2020. These are his thoughts on his first week with the team.

It’s been an exciting (and strange) week to start a new job at CRP. Starting remotely will always bring challenges but the team has been supportive and friendly in providing plenty of information about projects and the organisation, and generous with their time.

I have spent my first few days on video calls, project inductions and reading about the Healthy Streets Everyday and Clean Air Villages 3 projects.

Due to COVID-19, engaging with organisations and businesses will be challenging but it can also present new, digital ways of communicating internally and externally and a real opportunity for change, which I am excited to help implement.

I am thrilled to join the team and contribute to delivering these projects to improve London’s environmental sustainability and air quality.

New starter: A big welcome to Anusha!

5th June 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

 

Anusha Rajamani joined CRP as a new Project Officer in June 2020. Below is an account of her experience from her first week.

My first week at CRP has been most welcoming despite starting this position virtually. It has been great meeting the team and getting an insight into everyone’s role. As life slowly resumes post lockdown, the role of CRP projects are important in reinforcing local businesses’ attitudes towards sustainable practices. Therefore, making my involvement in CRP’s work at a time like this is all the more meaningful.I look forward to growing into my role and responsibilities within CAV.

EFLES: Capturing the opportunities in EV fleet charging

5th June 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

Following the launch of EV Fleet-Centred Local Energy Systems (EFLES) last month, CRP is excited to have begun delivering this innovative project in collaboration with UK Power Networks Services, UPS and Moixa.

EFLES aims to provide a model to facilitate the rapid transition to EVs. In 2018 there were over 5.1 million vans, trucks and buses on the roads in the UK with EVs accounting for less than 1% of those vehicles. The UK aims to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040 as part of an urgent call to decarbonise transport. In achieving this, the UK could expect to see a 30% increase from today’s electricity consumption by 2050. This would place increasing pressure on an already constrained power network. Reinforcements can be costly, which would ultimately be met by fleet operators and consumers.

EFLES builds on CRP’s SEUL project, which developed a smart charging system at UPS’ depot to overcome the challenge of recharging an EV fleet without the need for an upgrade to the power supply grid.

EFLES aims to further reduce the operating costs of EV fleets by integrating Moixa’s GridShare platform to monitor and forecast energy demand and optimise the resources at UPS’ depot. These resources, coupled with agile tariffs and network demand, represent hundreds of energy variables being optimised under one system for the first time. This holistic approach offers fleet operators increased flexibility, financial savings, and the opportunity for revenue generation by providing support to the electricity network.

For more information, please contact Project Manager Tom Linton-Smith.

Getting from A to B: Your Latest Active Travel Options Explained

5th June 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

Join us on Wednesday 10th June, 2pm – 3pm (BST) for our first in a series of interactive online learning sessions – Getting from A to B: your latest active travel options explained.

We’ll be join by representatives from Transport for London and Sustrans to discuss walking and cycling, recent infrastructure improvements, active travel’s vital role for Londoners as we emerge from lockdown, and how it will impact the future of commuting across the capital in the longer term.

Please feel free to share this invite to anyone who may be interested.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We’re here to help

5th June 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

Our Covid-19 guidance and support page is updated regularly with the latest information on financial support, health and wellbeing, travel and transport, as well as key updates from CRP projects.

Find quick links to TfL’s Streetspace for London plan, specific plans for businesses reopening from June 15th , and all of our private and public sector partner support pages for tailored guidance across London.

Visit the CRP Clean Air Villages Directory to see which businesses are still operating and delivering via low emission methods in your area.

With many of us working from home, getting our 10,000 steps a day can seem like a challenge. Plan your own Clean Air Route to get your daily dose of outdoor exercise with less of the harmful air pollution.

Clean Air Villages 3 Launches: A breath of fresh air during a time of crisis

5th June 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

What better day to announce the launch of Clean Air Villages 3 (CAV3), than on World Environment Day, a day in our calendars when awareness and action for the protection of our environment is encouraged.

CRP has funding from Defra’s Air Quality Grant to deliver the CAV3 project, with additional match funding, with Westminster City Council as the leading partner. CAV3 will build on the success of phases 1 and 2 of the project which have delivered air quality solutions ranging from; London’s first shared electric van for local businesses in Brixton; cargo bike schemes in London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Kensington & Chelsea; and a unique online resource, the CRP Clean Air Villages Directory of businesses offering deliveries and services via ultra-low emission methods. The project will work with businesses, communities and the health sector in ‘villages’ that have been chosen due to their high levels of pollution and human exposure. Solutions will be implemented that encourage long term behaviour change that results in improved local air quality.

The CAV3 project partners are: London Boroughs of Camden, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Wandsworth, City of London Corporation, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and the City of Westminster, as well as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) angel.london, The Fitzrovia Partnership, Northbank BID and South Bank BID.

As Clean Air Villages 2 comes to end and CAV3 commences, CRP was quick to respond to the COVID lockdown and has been able – in some cases – to adjust activities to provide focused support for pharmacies and food banks, using zero emission vehicles. CRP – with support from Defra – is adapting the CAV3 project activities in order to offer businesses, communities and the health sector support during these challenging times.

Lessons learnt in each of the 16 ‘villages’ will be shared widely across regional and national networks to showcase working solutions to improve air quality for all.

For more information, please contact CAV Project Manager Kate Fenton.

Positive Steps towards a Coal-Free Future

19th May 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

Despite these challenging times, there is some positive news. On Sunday 10th May, the UK achieved its first coal-free month since the Industrial revolution. This significant milestone can be attributed to a fall in demand for electricity during the Covid-19 lockdown, alongside a rise in renewable sources helped by favourable weather conditions.

The previous record was set last year, with the UK achieving 18 days, 6 hours and 10 minutes without coal contributing to the fuel mix in May 2019. Solar generation also set new records in April this year, helped by the ‘record-breaking’ sunshine experienced across the UK. Energy supplier Drax confirmed that during this coal-free month, low carbon energy sources provided around 70% of the UK’s power. This progress offers optimism for a future grid no longer dominated by fossil fuels. The UK has committed to shutting down its last remaining coal plants by 2025, and to reducing CO2 emissions to net-zero by 2050. As of 15th May, UK coal-fired power plants remain switched off, according to the National Grid.

Mental Health Awareness Week and Working From Home

19th May 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

Similarly to the CRP Team, many employees globally have had to very quickly get used to remote working from home. It is therefore very important that we look after our health and well-being during these unprecedented times. Ensure your workstation is set up so that you can work as comfortably as possible, and avoid sitting for long periods by ensuring that you take regular breaks during the day by getting some exercise.

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, 18th-24th May, is kindness. Keep in regular contact with colleagues, friends and family to ensure that no-one feels alone or isolated.

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