A new initiative has been launched to help schools, offices and housing developments in England play a part in reducing the effects of climate change.
The £1.6 million Community Renewables initiative will set up local support teams in ten areas of the country.

Support teams will help locals and organisations devise renewable energy schemes that are suited to their area. The aim is to create environment friendly developments and enable community groups to directly benefit from the income generated.

The local support teams, which are made up of local councils, energy experts, government bodies and other specialists will provide advice and training on feasibility studies, funding, technology issues, planning, environmental assessment and public participation.

Examples of the types of projects the initiative hopes to develop include: turning waste from farms and food into natural gas to generate electricity for community buildings; using wood-fired boilers to heat schools; and harnessing solar energy to power hospitals.

Speaking at the launch, Tony Hams of the Countryside Agency Board, comments: "The Energy Review called for public involvement in renewable energy. This is exactly the role of the Countryside Agency's Community Renewables initiative. It will help people devise renewable energy developments suited to their own locality, which they can benefit from."

The initiative is a joint scheme between the Countryside Agency, the Energy Saving Trust, DTI, DEFRA and the Forestry Commission. For more information about Community Renewables, visit www.countryside.gov.uk/communityrenewables.

Source

Building Sustainable Design