Foster encourages local communities to participate in energy challenge
Friday, 2 October 2009Energy Minister Arlene Foster is encouraging local communities across Northern Ireland to get involved in the Low Carbon Communities Challenge.
The Challenge is part of a two year joint initiative, led and funded by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), Communities and Local Government, the Office of the Third Sector, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Welsh Assembly Government.
It aims provide to provide financial and advisory support to 20 ‘test-bed’ communities, including local councils, charities and social enterprises, across Northern Ireland, England and Wales.
It is focused on those communities that are already taking action, or considering changes to cut carbon emissions and create more sustainable neighbourhoods, as well as those that could potentially house a wind farm, use electric cars or install community-scale retrofitting of homes.
Welcoming Northern Ireland’s inclusion in the Low Carbon Communities Challenge, the Minister said “This Challenge will contribute towards our transition into a low carbon economy. The information gathered will not only help further develop plans to change the way we heat and power our homes and businesses, use our transport systems and our energy supplies, it will also inform Government’s wider delivery plans on energy and climate change.
“Earlier this year, communities in Lisburn, Cookstown and Irvinestown participated in the DECC’s Big Energy Shift workshops. These aimed to identify how communities could best make cuts in their energy consumption.
“Now is the opportunity for more communities to get involved in the fight against carbon emissions and make a difference. This Low Carbon Communities Challenge can help achieve energy and cost savings, support inward investment and foster community leadership.
“I believe that such initiatives can help combine both technological solutions with household behaviour change, both of which are critical in achieving the carbon emission cuts we need in communities.”
A letter and information pack for potential applicants is being sent by DECC to local authorities in Northern Ireland and across England and Wales to alert them to the Challenge and invite their participation.
The communities will be supported through the provision of advice and funding, worth up to £500,000. This money could then be invested in such projects as a community wind turbine or biomass heating pumps in the local community hall or school. A specialist support group of partners, including The Energy Savings Trust and The Carbon Trust, will work together with each community to offer help and advice.
The Minister concluded: “Northern Ireland’s participation in this initiative is very important as my Department seeks to promote energy efficiency in voluntary organisations and the many community organisations that exist here. I want to encourage all local communities to step up to the challenge of cutting carbon emissions and get involved today.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Applications will be assessed and shortlisted by the UK Working Group, an advisory group made up of Government officials and external organisations, against the criteria. Criteria can be found at: http://decc.gov.uk/
2. The challenge is scheduled to start in January 2010.
3. By joining up support from across government and beyond, the Low Carbon Communities Challenge will provide easy access to a comprehensive range of services to help communities curb their carbon emissions and promote economic investment. The support will be delivered through a consortium of partners with funding from inside and outside government including: Global Action Plan and Groundwork, Carbon Leapfrog, Energy Saving Trust, The Carbon Trust, WRAP and Salix
4. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned
Connect with US
