Wandsworth Council featured in the London New Year’s Day Parade for the first time on January 1, 2020 with a sustainable float highlighting the theme of tackling climate change.

Wandsworth borough council's sustainable #LNYDP float came 4th in the borough competition! What an achievement! The float showcased all reused, recyclable and repurposed materials to create the meaningful float. 

Wandsworth Oasis were really pleased to be involved with the parade and provided all the red and flowery clothes and accessories which the participants wore on the float. 

The parade started at noon and was watched by millions of people around the world. Wandsworth’s float highlighted a key council objective over the next decade – to become carbon neutral by 2030 and a zero-emission council by 2050.

Each element of the float had been carefully chosen to reflect the Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Jane Cooper’s, passion for sustainability. The float only contained materials that had been recycled, reused or repurposed – from the centrepiece LOVE letters to the banners and the carpeted flooring.

The Mayor was grateful to Iveco for providing an eco-friendly vehicle powered by 100 per cent natural gas. Wandsworth’s entry into the parade also featured ‘Gaia’, made of thousands of red HIV awareness ribbons. This award-winning costume designed by Anthony Hunte, Spectra Programme and Volunteer Manager, is funded by Wandsworth Oasis. 

There will be a selection of trees that will be planted across the borough throughout 2020 – just part of the 540-tree planting commitment the council has made – and Battersea, the dogs and cats home, walked with the float promoting the positive work they do in the borough.  Youngs Brewery also provided their dray pulled by shire horses.

Representatives from local schools, charities and community groups were there, wearing flower pledged made from recyclable materials.

During the parade residents of Wandsworth were invited to support the borough’s bid to become this year’s borough champion and win a share of the big charity cash prize. All borough entries were automatically entered, and the public voted for their favourite.

Cllr Cooper said: “I’m very excited that for the very first time Wandsworth will be taking part in the New Year’s Day Parade. It’s a great chance to show off the brighter borough and highlight our ambitions to be inner London’s greenest borough.