In the Summer of 2021 a number of environmental groups in Croydon came together with the aim of increasing communication and collaboration between them.  This led to the formation of the Croydon Green Network. 

This informal network runs a bi-monthly 'Networking & Social' event, usually held on the 3rd Wednesday evening of alternate months starting in January, where reps from local 'green' groups can get together to share information such as their current activities, plans, challenges, needs and where and when they meet.  At the moment these bi-monthly events take place upstairs at The Spreadeagle pub in Croydon.  It is also a friendly and informal space where anyone can come along to find more out about the various groups and meet like-minded people. 

The network is campaigning our council to meet their commitment of being net zero by 2030.  It has been doing this via its members submitting questions at council meetings, responding to relevant consultations (e.g. on pertinent plans), communicating with the Mayor, relevant cabinet leads and other councillors, and holding legal and peaceful protests.  It expects to be part of a bi-annual forum of stakeholders the Council is planning to launch in early 2025 in relation to the Carbon Neutral Plan. 

The Croydon Green Network is supported by CVA and was initiated by the following groups: 

• Croydon Climate Action: We started in 2019, and span the whole of our wonderful borough! Our main focus is to lobby local politicians and the council to take action on the climate crisis, through organising hustings, meeting with decision-makers and hosting events. We are always looking to grow our group, both from a coordinating point of view and also members to support our work. We currently meet online, second Wednesday of each month from 7-8pm (no meeting in August due to summer holidays). Contact us at croydonclimateaction@gmail.com  
• Croydon Community Energy: Croydon Community Energy is Croydon's first not-for-profit renewable energy cooperative, working to install solar panels and other energy efficiency measures in community sites in the borough. They use the profits from their projects to fund fuel poverty alleviation work in the community. Our website is croydoncommunityenergy.co.uk or email hello@croydoncommunityenergy.co.uk  
• Croydon Extinction Rebellion: Extinction Rebellion began in 2018 and is now a global movement of national, regional and local groups of people with a core philosophy of Non-violent Direct Action to persuade governments to act justly on the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Their demands are - Tell the truth - Act Now - Decide Together. The Croydon group organises local actions and attendance at other actions via WhatsApp - join to find out more https://chat.whatsapp.com/FG9hW4xRbyK0rwjiICGfeP  
• Croydon Greenpeace: Our mission is Croydon fighting for a greener, cleaner and peaceful world.  We meet on the first Wednesday of the month, check Group: Greenpeace Croydon for venue each month - we're often at the Oval Tavern, but it's difficult inside and as the weather gets colder, the garden is too much, so we move about a bit.  We get together to discuss current Greenpeace campaigns and what we can commit to. It's all pretty low level, petitions and stuff, but we are making a difference one day at a time. There is no Planet B. New members warmly welcomed.  Feel free to message on Greenwire or email croydongreenpeace@gmail.com if you want to ask some questions and chat before coming along.  We look forward to seeing you soon :) 
• Sustainable Thornton Heath: We’re a growing group of local residents who are concerned about climate change and our environment and are taking action to live more sustainably ourselves as well as helping make the area in which we live more sustainable. We hold monthly electrical repair events in Thornton Heath & South Norwood, a bi-monthly Eco Living Fest in South Norwood, as well as a bi-monthly social in South Norwood.  Our website is sustaintheath.org and Sustainable Thornton Heath - The Restart Project, and you can email us at sustainablethorntonheath@gmail.com if you’d like to volunteer or just get in touch. 

The Croydon Green Network is always interested in connecting with more Croydon-based groups and organisations that have an interest in the environment, sustainability and social justice. Contact us at: croydongreennetwork@protonmail.com