Breadcrumbs
Acting locally for climate change - communities are making a difference - 8 February 2005
Local communities are taking on the challenge of tackling climate change, thanks to the Community Renewables Initiative (CRI), supported by the Countryside Agency and the DTI. CRI helps communities to switch to renewable sources of heat and power which do not contribute to greenhouse gases.
At a major national conference in London today (Tuesday 8 February), Countryside Agency Board member and chair of the Community Renewables Initiative Tony Hams said: "The past three years have shown the imagination that can be tapped into at a community level in developing and running renewable energy projects on the ground. These developments bring skills, income and livelihoods into the locality, so people see real benefits in their own communities. These clearly illustrate that our Community Renewables Initiative is working.
"We are delighted that the DTI has backed the CRI with further funds so we can achieve more projects with communities. As we take the initiative forward, today’s conference gives us the opportunity to explore priorities for key areas of the CRI's future work."
At the conference, delegates discussed projects such as the Brockweir and Hewelsfield community shop in the Wye Valley. Run by volunteers, it sells locally grown produce, has an internet café, uses solar power and is heated by a ground source heat pump. They also heard how projects could be replicated around the country to the benefit of the environment and local communities.
The £1.6 million Community Renewables Initiative is supported by the Countryside Agency, DTI and Forestry Commission, and backed by many other groups including the Environment Agency, CLA and CPRE. It operates through 10 local support teams across England, and has delivered 89 community renewables developments since it began and taken over 250 projects to a well-advanced stage – and there are a further 2600 projects in their early stages. Its next stage will take many of the advanced projects through to completion, so there are more examples for people to learn from.
The CRI is endorsed in the Energy White Paper, and in the Government’s recently released renewable energy guide advising planners how to implement renewable energy in their areas. The CRI uses expert fieldworkers to guide community groups through all stages of developing renewable energy projects, from the idea in the pub through finding funds, to installing the kit.
People wanting to find out more information on the Community Renewables Initiative should visit our website at www.cri-england.org.uk .
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Notes to editors
The Countryside Agency is the statutory body working to make the quality of life better for people in the countryside and the quality of the countryside better for everyone. It is a non-departmental body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Who’s backing the Initiative...
The Initiative is co-ordinated by the Countryside Agency, with support from many government and industry bodies, environmental groups and charities. It has a national advisory group of key bodies and individuals that help to steer the initiative, including Defra, Environment Agency, CLA, National Trust, CPRE and Friends of the Earth. Key funds have come from the DTI and Countryside Agency, with contributions from the Forestry Commission and some RDAs.
The CRI is endorsed both in the Energy White Paper, and in ODPM’s 'Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS22' published in December 2005.
