Southwark Green Investment
Overview and how to invest
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.
So far, we’ve raised £1.5 million through two rounds, hitting our target early on both occasions. This is thanks to a record-breaking number of local residents who invested.
In our third phase, we’re raising up to £1 million to deliver local climate projects. This includes community energy projects to tackle fuel poverty, key nature recovery projects, green upgrades to schools. As well as a programme of walking and cycling improvements.
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 4.1% yearly return.
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 2 June 2025. It offers a fixed annual return of 4.1% interest a year across a five-year term. During this five-year term, your capital will be held in the investment.
Regular returns of interest and capital are paid every six months across the five-year term. Returns are paid into your Abundance account for you to withdraw or reinvest as you wish.
We will be raising up to £1 million to deliver local climate projects. This includes community energy projects to tackle fuel poverty, key nature recovery projects, green upgrades to schools. As well as a programme of walking and cycling improvements.
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 pump
- 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 accountaccount, and you are lending money to a council. Changes in market interest rates may affect the value of your investment if you sell before maturity. Approver: Abundance (525432). Approval date: 3 June 2025.