A green scheme intended to boost the number of environmental projects in Lambeth helped get 11 new groups off the ground this month.

Bids for funding of up to £500 for the groups were approved by Lambeth Council as part of its Big Difference campaign to encourage residents to cut their carbon emissions.

A total of £5,305 funding was announced last week at the launch of Lambeth's sustainability action plan, which outlines how the council aims to cut carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2012.

Projects benefiting from funding include Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses, that will prepare education material for schools and set up a visitor and education space on its site.

Telford Park CAN will use the funding to run ‘draft busting’ sessions for residents in Streatham so they can learn to better insulate their homes.

Other projects included creating community food growing gardens on a number of Lambeth housing estates.

Councillor Sally Prentice, Lambeth Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Tackling climate change starts at the grass roots and this funding is designed to kick start schemes that will make a real difference and a positive contribution to our environment."

The Big Difference scheme is run with Project Dirt, a south London community forum linking environmentally-minded people together.