Click on the links below for a wide range of downloadable content regarding energy and sustainability:
Centre for Sustainable Energy: This website contains lots of advice, resources and statistics regarding domestic energy concerns, and renewable energy.
350 Campaigns: 350 Campaigns is an open platform available to anyone and everyone who wants to do their part to solve the climate crisis.
Pure Leapfrog: Pure Leapfrog provides social investment and professional support to community energy projects in the UK. They have provided low cost loans and professional support to over 100 community energy projects. This has included the first social housing solar PV project by a community project and the first community-owned LED project.
An Introduction to crowdfunding: This defines and explores crowdfunding, a growth area of income for voluntary and community organisations. It explain the processes and benefits, helping you to identify where opportunities for crowdfunding may exist for your organisation.
PlanLoCal: A suite of resources including films, a resource pack and this website which aims to support communities and groups that are planning for low carbon living.
Low impact living initiative: A network of people and organisations providing information, training, products & services to help you live more sustainably.LILI produce fact sheets on various topics including 'nature', 'food and drink' and 'land'.
Organising a voluntary event: a 'Can do' guide: A free government-written step by step guide to organsing a voluntary event.
Adaptation in the Community Training Materials: An online training facility for community groups working on climate change adaptation, developed by Community Forests Northwest on behalf of Liverpool City Council. The training resource should help groups to explore how green spaces like street trees, private gardens and school grounds can help communities to cope with some of the challenges that climate change may bring. The materials are intended for use by, for example, local interest groups, residents’ associations, faith groups and primary and secondary schools.
A Toolbox Guide For Assessing the Feasibility of an Anaerobic Digestion Project Developed for the Benefit of a Community or a Single Farm: A study and toolkit commissioned by our very own local group Sustainable Youlgrave. The £50K study explored the potential for developing anaerobic digestion within the farming communities of the River Bradford valley, near Bakewell. Its conclusions includes that Anaerobic Digestion – the breakdown of natural waste in the absence of air to produce methane and create energy and fuel – can be financially, environmentally and socially beneficial, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2,500 tonnes (equal to offsetting emissions from almost 230 houses).
The study was commissioned by Sustainable Youlgrave and was jointly funded by the Peak District National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, East Midlands Development Agency and the group itself.
Zero Carbon Britain Plan: The Centre for Alternative Technology’s ‘fully integrated vision of how Britain can respond to the challenges of climate change, resource depletion and global inequity.’ A weighty document but the executive summary is definitely worth a scan for inspiration.
Community Energy - Planning, Development and Delivery: Outlines a step-by-step approach to the challenge of creating a successful and efficient community energy scheme. Jointly produced by the Combined Heat & Power Association (CHPA) and the Town & Country Planning Association (TCPA).
Community Energy Website: Government-led website to help communities take up opportunities to become more energy self sufficient.
Feed-in-Tariff Newsletters: Ofgem produce regular newsletters on the uptake of Feed-in-Tariffs
Science of Climate Change Website: If you need to gem up on the science behind climate change this is the place to do it! Written by the government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir John Beddington, it provides comprehensive and accessible information on the science of climate change and compelling evidence of human drivers and the nature and degree of uncertainties.
An introduction to the site says: “Scientific points, and occasional errors, have become the subject of emotive debate and strong media interest. Frequently this has generated more heat than light, with polarised and ill-informed debates across the blogosphere - and indeed at times in the mainstream media. My aim in developing these web pages is to set out what I believe to be key aspects of the scientific evidence on climate change…The evidence is compelling that climate change is happening, that human activities are the major driver for this and that the future risks are substantial.’
Nottingham City’s Sustainable Energy Strategy: Nottingham is currently the most self- sufficient city in energy in Britain. This document sets out plans for the future.
National Carbon Footprint Calculator: This slightly addictive tool allows you to have some fun playing with the national carbon footprint.
The resources listed below are slightly older (but still useful):
CANN 50 top tips: 50 ideas for how to reduce your own greenhouse gas emissions
CAT Bonsall Energy Report: A report commissioned by community group Bonsall Energy Group and produced by Centre for Alternative Technology. Looks at seven community buildings in the Derbyshire village of Bonsall, and assesses the scope for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation.
Energy saving for charities: A guide produced by the Carbon Trust, looking at all aspects of energy saving including insulation, lighting and catering. Aimed at charities, but contains ideas and contacts useful to community groups and small businesses as well.
Greening Communities: Report on active community groups in the East Midland Region. Written in March 08 by RCAN for EMDA. Some useful contacts at the back.
Parish Councils - Act on CO2: Booklet produced by Defra explaining what parish councils can do to help tackle climate change. Lots of case studies.
Preparing for a low carbon economy: 10 things to do to prepare for rising oil prices and a low carbon economy. By Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Town movement. First published by Permaculture Magazine.
