Energy and Climate Change
Introduction
What the AONB Partnership is doing
What you can do
Further Information and Contacts
Introduction
Climate change is the biggest long term issue facing us. Actions to tackle it can seem insignificant or sometimes in conflict with conserving the countryside. To help prevent serious climate change, the UK has set a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. To help the Shropshire Hills play its part in this, we have made "shifting to low carbon" one of the five key priorities for the AONB. Below is some our thinking, ideas on things you can do and contacts for further information.
• Action is needed from individuals, organisations and communities and government. Each can spur the others on and shouldn't pass the buck or wait for a lead.
• A range of different measures is needed - there is no miracle fix, but change in habits and a reduction in energy use will be needed, as well as new sources of energy.
• The AONB Partnership's policy (and national policy) is against the development of large scale windfarms or other industrial scale energy generation in the AONB. Energy conservation and small scale renewables are supported.
The AONB Partnership has :
• Agreed its own corporate environmental policy pledging cuts in CO2 emissions.
• Measured its own energy use and identified ways to reduce it.
• Sought to raise awareness and embed climate change action in our work and lobbying.
• Given grants for energy related projects.
• Supported the development of local food and other products.
• Launched the Shropshire Hills Sustainable Business Scheme.
We are working on:
• More ambitious energy savings for our office, working with our landlord.
• Developing a green travel plan and encouraging others to do so.
• More support for sustainable local products, business and farm advice, low carbon community initiatives
and sustainable transport.
• Taking forward climate change adaptation measures for wildlife and people.
What you can do:
Measure your energy use and carbon footprint
This means you can focus on the best ways to reduce it.
Make your workplace work
Use what influence you can to encourage your employer to look at energy and make a commitment to doing something about it.
Do the easy things first
such as low energy light bulbs, insulation, draughproofing, heating controls. Do these things before or alongside thinking about renewable energy such as solar or wind. Generating green energy and using it wastefully is like buying the best organic food and throwing half of it straight in the bin!
Try to reduce travel
Increasing transport is spoiling our countryside as well as our atmosphere. This is a hard one, but steps can be taken to organise life and work to reduce car and air travel. Why not take a holiday in an AONB and reconnect with our fantastic countryside rather than flying abroad!
Further Information and Contacts :
General and Household Advice on Energy saving and Renewable energy
Energy Saving Trust - National advice website with ideas and lots of background information, including government grants available (Low Carbon Buildings programme available to households).
Act on CO2 - Government website with simple carbon calculator and information on greener travel, shopping etc.
English Heritage's Climate Change and your Home - specifically for those with older properties -ways to save energy and also advice on coping with the effects on traditional properties of changes in climate.
Local Advice and Grant Schemes :
Household Energy Service - Run by Light Foot Enterprises, Bishop's Castle. Tel. 01588 630683. Currently offering free home energy survey visit and reports within a 10-mile radius of Bishop's Castle.
Stretton Climate Care - Local charity group established September 2007, seeking to reduce the carbon footprint of the Church Stretton area. Tel. 07528 493181. Membership, events and advice.
Marches Energy Agency - Tel. 01743 246007. Shrewsbury based not-for-profit organisation with a wide portfolio of activities and projects, including:
• Project Carbon (sustainable energy advice, installation and carbon offsetting).
• Carbon Forum (inspiration and education)
• Low Carbon Communities (community based engagement and action)
• RE:think (capital grants scheme for small businesses)
• Action Heat (understanding fuel poverty and solutions)
Wasteless Society - Bishop's Castle group focussed on recycling and energy, pioneered one of the first community carbon footprinting exercises. Tel. 01588 630683. Membership, energy club, biodiesel supply.
Rea Valley Environmental Network - a local group formed in Autumn 2008, which focuses on sustainability issues. Meetings and newsletter. Tel. 01743 792790. Email reaven@live.co.uk
Local Case Studies and Companies
We'd like to expand this section - do contact us with ideas.
Wood Fuel is one of our favourite options - increasing the use of wood will actually benefit our woodlands. Much of their wildlife is adapted to a long history of regular management such as coppicing.
Summary of Woodfuel services and Grant support - West Midlands Sept 2008
Long Mynd Hotel - low energy light bulbs and wood chip boiler
Midlands Wood Fuel Ltd - wood fuel boilers and supply - log, chip and pellet. Based at Cressage. Tel. 01952 510001
Heartwoods - A regional woodland project with a focus on woodfuel. Based at the Greenwood Centre in Ironbridge, tel. 01952 432769.
Current opportunity through Heartwoods "Wood for Heat" Project, supported by the AONB's Sustainable Development Fund - 70% funded woodfuel feasibility studies, suited to farms and estates with a current or potential wood supply. Contact as above.
Bioenergy West Midlands - network run by Harper Adams University College, with guidance and events.
Farming and Climate Change
Farming Futures - Information, advice and case studies about climate change and what is means specifically for farmers.
CALM Carbon Calculator for farms - developed by the Country Land & Business Association.
Farm Carbon - run by Lightfoot Enterprises.
Background information on Climate Change
Directgov - quick guide, history, causes, myths, what's being done, and more.
The Royal Society - information from the scientific community.
BBC - news, opinions and exchange related to climate change from the BBC.
Sustainable Wenlock
Sustainable Wenlock is a community group based in Much Wenlock, dedicated to exploring ways of reducing our use of diminishing natural resources and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. For membership, home energy checks and events contact Jodie Griffith on 01952 727367. For further information visit www.sustainablewenlock.org.uk