Veganuary and plant-based restaurant ideas
Since 2014, Veganuary has brought special menus and initiatives to London, promoting plant-based eating. This year, plant-based chef Charlotte Roy, renowned from MasterChef 2024, shares her top picks and recommendations. Highlights include the restaurants of Alexis Gauthier, a French chef who transitioned fully to plant-based cuisine, with Gauthier Soho, 123V, and Studio Gauthier, offering creative dishes like fully plant-based sushi also called Garden Sushi.
Other standouts are Plates, founded by siblings Kirk and Keeley Haworth, offering a fresh take on plant-based dining, and Mallow brought to you by the team behind Mildreds, where chef Sarah Wasserman crafts innovative, flavorful menus. For those keen to try plant-based cooking, Made in Hackney offers community-based classes throughout January, many free, teaching seasonal, local, and global plant-based cuisines. One of our New Year’s resolutions is to try them all!
Talks and conferences
Toward a-fact based sustainability & Empowering sustainable cities through innovation
Join A-fact Architecture Factory’s co-founders as they share their data-driven, sustainable design approach, focusing on creating resilient projects that harmonise with nature and foster sustainable communities. In another exciting lecture, discover the transformative power of innovation in shaping sustainable cities with Foster + Partners. Learn how strategic masterplans, data-driven design, and urban AI are crafting functional, resilient, and equitable urban spaces to enhance quality of life and prepare for the future.
📅 Date: Tuesday, 7 January 6.30pm- 8pm/Free & Wednesday, 8 January 6.30pm- 8pm/Free
📍 Location: Architectural Association
🔗 More information and registration: Link here & here
Grantham Institute Climate Research Showcase 2025
Highlighting the Grantham Institute’s commitment to innovation, the Climate Research Showcase fosters collaboration and addresses pressing environmental challenges through exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and a Special Lecture for a full day at the South Kensington Campus.
📅 Date: Wednesday, 22 January 12:00pm- 8:00pm/Free
📍 Location: South Kensington Campus
🔗 More information and registration: Link here
Light pollution and its impacts
The Royal Astronomical Society will host a free one-day conference on light pollution and its impacts at Burlington House, London. Featuring speakers from leading organisations, sessions will cover policy, biodiversity, human health, and strategies to tackle light pollution effectively.
📅 Date: Thursday, 30 January, 9am-5pm free
📍 Location: Online or join the waiting list for in-person attendance
🔗 More information and registration: Link here
Workshop
Adaptation to climate change workshop
Adaptation and resilience to climate change, particularly in London requires everyone’s involvement—not just institutions or local authorities but also citizens who need to understand the stakes in order to act. The workshop organised by Climate Clarity at the Islington Climate Centre aims to provide Londoners with valuable insights to take action on this critical issue.
📅 Date: Friday, 24 January 10:00am- 1:00pm/Free
📍 Location: Islington Climate Centre
🔗 More information and registration: Link here
Meetup
London Climate Meetup
Looking to connect with like-minded individuals and discuss pressing climate and environmental issues while enjoying a drink at the vibrant Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant & Castle? Join us for an informal evening of conversation and networking about climate solutions, organised by Terra.do London (thank you, Elisa!). Feel free to bring along anyone interested—everyone is welcome!
📅 Date: Tuesday, 21 January, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (drinks available for purchase)
📍 Location: Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant & Castle
🔗 More information and registration: Link here
Outdoor activities
Wild food and nature walk
If you’ve ever wanted to forage for wild herbs without leaving London, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park offers the perfect opportunity. During a tour organised by Forage London and Beyond, Ken Greenway will guide participants through the park’s diverse woodland and meadow plants, wild mushrooms, and fruiting trees.
📅 Date: Saturday, 18 January 1pm- 4pm/£50 – free under 10’s
📍 Location: Tower Hamlet Cemetery
🔗 More information and registration: Link here
Butterfly egg hunt & blackthorn planting day
A family-friendly activity combining planting and citizen science, you’ll plant blackthorn saplings near ash trees and survey existing ones in Regent’s Park for brown hairstreak butterfly eggs. Citizen science walks throughout the day will include butterfly egg counts nearby.
📅 Date: Saturday, 18 January, drop-in any time between 11am- 3pm/free
📍 Location: The Regent’s park & Primrose Hill
🔗 More information and registration: Link here
