SUSTAINABLE HACKNEY

An umbrella organisation to support local organisations and residents in addressing the impact of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss in the heart of London and around the world

Our place / Our home / Our future.

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About Sustainable Hackney

Sustainable Hackney is dedicated to helping create a sustainable future for the good of all. We are working to create a greener and more environmentally conscious Hackney for generations to come.

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Sustainability initiatives in Hackney

Discover our upcoming projects that aim to enhance the local environment and promote sustainability in Hackney.

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Join in and get involved

Find out how you can contribute to sustainability in Hackney and take action to protect our environment. Together, we can make a difference.

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Stay up to date with the latest news and updates on local initiatives and sustainabaility projects.

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Meet our team

Get to know some of the passionate people who are driving positive change and leading our efforts towards a sustainable Hackney.

Our team

UPCOMING EVENTS

LATEST NEWS

Just announced after the film screening of ' The Conspiracists' Liz Pendleton (chair) @lizpendleton @media_revolution in conversation with Liz Smith film (director) liz-smith.com

Sustainable Hackney Films for Action - The Conspiracists
18 September 2026, 7–9.30pm, doors open 6.30pm
St Paul’s West Hackney, 184 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7UY
Watch this excellent film The Conspiracists , a surprising and tender documentary exploring the lives, beliefs and communities of a group of American “patriots”, followed by a discussion with the film’s director, Liz Smith. The film explores conspiracy, identity, belonging and the search for community, without telling audiences what to think

Free show, refreshments, stalls

Tickets from
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-conspiracists-tickets-1999024267396

Films for Action

The Conspiracists

Friday, September 18th
7.0 PM, doors open 6.30pm

St Paul's Church, 182 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7UE

Four years ago, writer Noelle Cook and Liz Smith, film director, set off on a road trip across America with Yvonne and her ‘patriot’ friends

This is a surprising and tender documentary and like all good documentaries, there’s no direction on what to think. The women speak for themselves, and they are treated with dignity, compassion and empathy.

Free, donations welcome

Panel discussion after break
Refreshments, stalls, Fair Trade.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-conspiracists-tickets-1999024267396?aff=oddtdtcreator

Bandi Mbubi - Fair Cobalt Alliance
www.faircob altalliance.org

Bandi Mbubi is Executive Director of the Fair Cobalt Alliance, bringing together industry, civil society, and local partners to eradicate child labour, improve safety, and build fairer artisanal cobalt supply chains in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Born in the DRC, he founded Congo Calling, a decade-long campaign for fair trade technology, and his TED talk "Demand a Fair Trade Cell Phone" brought conflict minerals to a global audience.

Drusilla Bret-Cunynghame-Robertson - RAID

Drusilla Bret-Cunynghame-Robertson is a legal professional with a focus on corporate accountability, human rights law and environmental justice. She joins RAID as a Research Associate, equipped with experience in legal research, strategic litigation, and advocacy. Her work regularly involves field missions. Her thesis explores corporate civil and criminal accountability for human rights violations across various national and international legal frameworks.

Alec Popper Responsible Sourcing & Sustainability Officer at the Cobalt Institute.

Alec Popper is a human rights specialist whose career focuses on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. He has spent time working on business and human rights issues across a variety of international organisations. At Cobalt Institute, Alec works with member companies on issues relating to the safe, sustainable, and responsible sourcing of cobalt, aiming to safeguard the environment and the human rights of workers and communities across the cobalt sector.

Juan Pablo Mardones - PhD candidate at University of Exeter - hosted by the British Geological Survey

Juan Pablo Mardones is a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter Business School (UK) researching the circular economy of cobalt, hosted by the British Geological Survey. Holding a dual academic background in mining & metallurgy and strategic studies, his research is focused on how the cobalt sector advances circularity objectives in an age of increasing complexity.

🌍 Hackney Grants for community repair cafes: Applications closing on 5 July 🌿

Not-for-profit groups can apply
for grants up to £1,500 to set up Repair Cafes, where volunteers help residents fix broken items like electricals, bikes and clothing 🛠️

Applications are open close at midday on 5 July

Not-for-profits, including charities, schools, and community groups can apply

Apply now
to build a greener Hackney together! 💚

Check the grant guidance document and complete the application form at hackney.gov.uk/repair-cafe-grant

Sustainable Hackney

Films for Action

'Cobalt Rush'

Friday, July 17
7 PM - 9:30 PM
Doors open 6.30pm

Cobalt has become a highly strategic mineral, used in electric vehicles. A remarkable investigation into the hidden side of its extraction.

Cobalt, indispensable to the car industry making electric vehicles. The film investigates the hidden side of its extraction from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Scandinavia.
St Paul's Church,
182 Stoke Newington Road
London N16 7UE

Panel discussion, panel to be announced

Refreshments, Fair Trade stall

Free show, donations welcome

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainable-hackney-films-for-action-cobalt-rush-tickets-1991797491916?aff=oddtdtcreator

Monday, Apr 13, from 6 pm to 9 pm
1 Westgate Street
NT Loft London E8 3RL

Free event:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-fresk-at-nt-loft-tickets-1985587376293?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for an interactive card game that explains how and why climate change is happening and empowers you to take action.

Interested in learning about the ins and outs of climate change? Want to connect with like-minded individuals in a friendly and supportive environment? Join us for an interactive card game that explains how and why climate change is happening and empowers you to take action.

Love Design Studio, in collaboration with Sustainable Hackney, Islington Climate Centre and Hackney Council, is hosting a collaborative 3-hour workshop that helps people understand the fundamentals of climate change based on the latest IPCC report.

Whether you are an expert wanting to refresh your scientific knowledge or a novice who is getting to grips with the idea of radiative forcing, this workshop accommodates all levels and expertise in a friendly and supportive environment. By drawing on the group's collective intelligence, Climate Fresk workshops encourage participants to become active learners by linking the cause and effect of climate change and discussing viable solutions.

Films For Action

Friday, Mar 27

St Paul's Church, 182 Stoke Newington Road. N16 7UE

Doors open 6:30 pm
Film 7.0 pm to 9:30 pm

Panel Discussion

Free, donations welcome

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainable-hackney-2-films-for-action-fires-fascism-plan-z-tickets-1983767803903?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

'FIRES AND FASCISM' is a new 57-min documentary film directed by Dr Pete Knapp

It shows the wildfires in Europe are more than just climate change and mismanagement. It links the increasing wildfires of Europe with fascism, big business, organised crime, and the rise of the far right. It showcases how communities are engaging in direct action, protest, rewilding, and suppressing the rise of uncontrollable fires and the far right through direct actions.

Featured are the experiences and actions of 25 people from Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, including scientists, teachers, artists, gardeners, engineers, winemakers, NGOs, and authors. The film is crowdfunded, independent, and non-profit.

'PLAN Z' is a new 23 min documentary film directed by Louisa Jones and Vladimir Morozov

It tells a story of when the UK government ignores mounting evidence for climate breakdown, three British scientists turn to civil disobedience to warn the public themselves, risking arrest, a criminal record and their professional reputations. A window into the world of reluctant activism, Plan Z explores the power of protest when established routes of influence fail.

Tower Hamlets and Hackney Free Film Screening of 'Savages' 6 March 2026 at 7.00 pm
06 Mar 2026, 19:00 – 23:00
St Paul's West Hackney, 184 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7UY, UK
Join Friends of the Earth Hackney & Tower Hamlets for free showing of an animated film about a family fleeing conflict in Borneo’s rainforest.

After the screening, we are hosting a Q&A with guest speakers to be announced. This film screening will support our local Planet over profit campaign- part of a national effort to protect forests and wildlife across the world.

Tickets available from:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friends-of-the-earth-hackney-and-tower-hamlets-free-film-screening-tickets-1982372767311

The panel for our next Film for Action on Friday, Feb 6
7 pm to 10 pm
St Paul's Church, 184 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7UY,
Doors open 6.30
Panel discussion
Free, donations welcome
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/films-for-action-the-happy-man-tree-tickets-1979164244533

Films For Action: Happy Man Tree

Fri 6 Feb 2026

St Paul's, 184 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7UY,

Doors open at 6.30 for 7.00 pm screening

Free, donations welcome,

tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/films-for-action-the-happy-man-tree-tickets-1979164244533

The Happy Man Tree Film is about a campaign to save a 150-year-old London Plane tree in Hackney.

Local people found out that a huge much loved tree was about to be felled as part of the Regeneration of Woodberry Down Estate and the 'Save the Happy Man Tree' campaign was formed and pulled together a petition of 20,000 signatures . The film by Director Katy McGahan documents the nine month grassroots campaign which pulled together a loose alliance of concerned local residents from Woodberry Down Estate and environmental activists from the wider community.

It is a heartwarming story of how people come together to campaign around the issue of trees and nature. Under the banned of Notice This Tree https://www.noticethistree.org, the film is touring UK cinemas and has been shown as part of the Green Screen Network.

Panel Members agreed : Katy McGahan film director https://www.katymcgahan.com/ , Councillor Sarah Young, Hackney cabinet member for Climate, Environment and Transport , Paul Powlesland founder of https://www.lawyersfornature.com/,

Films for Action

Community-led activism for a solar energy revolution

Date and time
Friday, November 21st

7.0pm - 9:30pm GMT

Doors open 6.30pm

Film followed by panel discussion

Bar, food, free trade

Location
St Paul's Church, West Hackney

182 Stoke Newington Road London N16 7UE

Free, donations welcome.

For full details and how to book https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/power-station-tickets-1824568085259?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*z24mc*_up*MQ..*_ga*ODEzMzc5OTkxLjE3NjA0Njg5OTY.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NjA0Njg5OTUkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjA0Njg5OTUkajYwJGwwJGgw

About the event

Films For Action: "The Line We Crossed"

Through the experiences of those who stood in defiance of non-action by the government to tackle the climate emergency, the film traces the quiet unravelling of our protest rights. It challenges audiences to question what makes dissent effective and where the line of acceptability is.

The right to nonviolent protest is a fundamental pillar of democracy and enshrined in many laws to which the UK government are signatories. Yet, as resistance grows, new laws restrict protest rights. For two years the film makers documented how the right to protest in the UK is under threat and how environmental defenders, in particular, are being targeted. We have witnessed first-hand how they are being silenced in court, criminalised and are receiving disproportionate punishments for nonviolent protest.

The evening will include a panel discussion with panel members including director Liz Smith and two leading activists of 'Defend our Juries'. There will be a bar and snacks, Palestinian food and FairTrade items to buy throughout the evening.

To book a seat, please click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/films-for-action-the-line-we-crossed-tickets-1580603871729?aff=oddtdtcreator

These are all the groups which will be holding events or running stalls at our Sustainable Sunday event.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Sustainable Sunday
20 Jul 2025, 14:00 – 17:00
St Paul's Church, 182 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7UE, UK
About the event
Visit us at St Paul's Church, Stoke Newington on 20th July, for an enjoyable afternoon, chatting and exploring innovative and fun ways of living more sustainably with some of our many local and environmentally friendly groups.
Join workshops on the life of your clothes, accessible traffic free areas, creative arts and learn how and why the Climate Fresk 'game' is gaining in popularity.
Tour the grounds of St Paul's and discover what makes it an Eco-church.
Drinks and some homemade snacks will be available for your afternoon tea and there will be a chance to taste the new innovative Hackney crisps.
We promise you an informative but fun and friendly afternoon - chat to us and your fellow Hackney residents and visitors before you return home feeling inspired and optimistic about the future of Hackney we can create together.
No tickets required, just turn up.

Friday, July 18

Film for Action: The Last Tourist

Join us for a thought-provoking film screening. Tourism is damaging environment, wildlife, and vulnerable communities: what should we do?

Panel discussioin

Friday, July 18 · 7 - 9:30pm

Doors open 6.30pm

St Paul's Church, West Hackney
182 Stoke Newington Road London N16 7UE

18:30

Doors and bar open

19:00

Film showing

20:45

Brief break

21:00

Panel discussion

21:30

Event closes

Travel is at a tipping point. Tourists are unintentionally destroying the very things they have come to see. Overtourism has magnified its impact on the environment, wildlife, and vulnerable communities around the globe. Filmed in over 16 countries and guided by the world’s leading tourism and conservation visionaries, THE LAST TOURIST reveals the real conditions and consequences of one of the largest industries worldwide through the forgotten voices of those working in its shadow. The role of the modern tourist is on trial.

See the film to find out why, and engage in the post-film discussion with our expert panel:

Anna Hughes - Flight Free UK
Alex Chapman - New Economics Foundation (NEF)
Dr Cristina Maxim - Assoc Prof in Tourism Management at West London University

Free event, donations welcome.

Tickets on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-for-action-the-last-tourist-tickets-1443475226259?aff=oddtdtcreator or on the door.

Greenseas Trust, whose founder Fazilette Khan came to speak at our recent Films for Action show, promotes plastic bottle deposit refund scheme https://www.greenseas.org/projects/deposit-refund-scheme/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJRKgxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZg8LoB4s03pZbcTy7pXcD4Azl399qbKqaKjjugZ3jdlCQ30RSkRok3yjA_aem_EBSBeGkg5S6tPBpIHnICaA. We urge our followers to back this idea. At one time there were no plastic bottles in the UK and glass bottles were recycled. It can happen again! You can sign this petition calling on the government to introduce this scheme https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-clean-up-communities-with-deposit-return-scheme-for-plastic-bottles-and-cans?fbclid=IwY2xjawJRLCJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbN7o66C-fqdtKd1TiyR-zJPvxMHHR7h4ZCdtYMtycBL4QouaMNqjMilaw_aem_lQNzXS7fk3lmDpuUH0LHjg

Head to the Sustainable Hackney News feed to read our sustainable gift suggestions 😍

Plans for tomorrow evening? Due to popular demand, we have just been able yo release 50 more tickets for our UK Premiere of Sold City for tomorrow evening starting at 6.30pm. Get yours now before they sell out again!

#filmpremiere #housingcrisis

Next Tuesday Right to Food Hackney are hosting Cllr Kennedy and Cllr Young, asking your questions on the progress the Council has made in the two years since passing the commitment.

For more details and to RSVP, visiting the @sustainablehackney website.

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SUSTAINABLE HACKNEY

About Sustainable Hackney

Sustainability initiatives in Hackney

Join in and get involved

Stay informed

Meet our team

UPCOMING EVENTS

LATEST NEWS

Funding available for community-led climate justice

Call to action: Help us get Hackney's two MPs to the 3rd September Parliamentary debate on ecosystem breakdown

🌍 Grants for community repair cafes: Applications closing on 5 July 🌿

Follow us on Instagram

Sign up to receive emails

SUSTAINABLE HACKNEY

About Sustainable Hackney

Sustainability initiatives in Hackney

Join in and get involved

Stay informed

Meet our team

UPCOMING EVENTS

LATEST NEWS

Funding available for community-led climate justice

Call to action: Help us get Hackney's two MPs to the 3rd September Parliamentary debate on ecosystem breakdown

🌍 Grants for community repair cafes: Applications closing on 5 July 🌿

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Follow us on Instagram

Sign up to receive emails