News
Hayfield Sustainable Transport Plans Car Club
Mon, 7 August 2017Following on from the success of its Minibus Club, Hayfield Sustainable Transport Ltd (HSTL) is hoping to start a Car Club. The community organisation currently owns two minibuses that can be booked out by groups and clubs. HSTL are now planning to get hold of some vehicles that could be used by different people at different times. For example, someone might drive to the train station in the morning, someone else could use the car during the day, and it could be returned in time for the first person to drive home from the train station in the evening. They hope is that this might reduce the need for private car ownership in the area.
Anyone who is interested in being involved with this initiative can contact Roland Strube: roland.strube@gmail.com or visit: http://www.hstl.org.uk
August Newsletter Out Now
Fri, 4 August 2017Our August newsletter is out now and is crammed full of local climate change events and news. Read it online.
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He Huffed and He Puffed… but the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Eco Homes Stayed Warm!
Wed, 2 August 2017
A straw bale extension being constructed in Derbyshire
Looking for a different sort of day out this summer? Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire residents who have followed in the footsteps of the three little piggies and live in homes built from straw, wood, brick…. and also stone, are inviting you to visit them. Fortunately none of the houses will fall down if you huff and puff, but they do all have fantastic eco features that have saved their owners money and kept them warm and cosy.
All of the homes are involved in the brand new Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Eco Open Homes (NDEOH) ‘View By Appointment’ initiative. An Edwardian brick house with solid wall insulation, a straw bale extension on a Victorian terrace, a modern timber framed bungalow, and a 1760’s stone-built house with many eco features are all available to visit by appointment with the householder. From solar panels and wind turbines to simple draught proofing measures, the people who live in these houses have all found ways to save on their energy bills and reduce their environmental impact.
Caroline Harmon, of charity Marches Energy Agency, said: ‘Whatever material your house is built of, rising energy bills are affecting us all and there’s a pressing environmental need to reduce our energy use and get energy from renewable sources. This is an opportunity to see real solutions in real homes, done on a range of budgets, and have a chat with the people who live there about their experiences of having this work done.’
More than 600 people have visited a home or other building in the area between 2013 and 2015 as part of the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Eco Open Home Week events. The ‘View By Appointment’ initiative will give visitors more time to see homes and chat with the owners one-to-one. To find out more and book an appointment to visit any of the homes visit: http://www.everybodys-talking.org/ecohomes/visit-appointment
Community Renewable Energy Powers 130,000 Homes
Tue, 25 July 2017
A community-owned wind turbine at Hockerton, nr Southall. A local example of a community-owned renewable project
Community-owned renewable energy is generating enough energy to power the equivalent of 130,000 UK homes according to the findings of a‘state of the sector’ survey. Released by Community Energy England, the results show that a total of 222 organisations are now operating solar, hydro or wind power schemes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These organisations have raised £190m investment, mainly from community share issues.
The report highlights the success achieved by community organisations but warns that reduced government support is threatening the future viability of the sector. Community Energy England Chief Executive Emma Bridge said: ‘These projects have proved that they are both innovatory and resilient in a very tough climate but the unprecedented cuts in subsidy and tax incentives present them with their biggest challenge yet.’
Read the full report: http://bit.ly/2s2q00p
D2 Energy Efficiency Surveys and Grants Available
Tue, 25 July 2017
The D2 Energy Efficiency Project is offering free energy audits to businesses in Derby and Derbyshire to help reduce business costs and carbon emissions, and increase the comfort of employees. Following an audit, project officers will work with businesses to implement the best options for your business. Grants of up to £15,000 (and up to 65% of the cost) are available to eligible businesses to carry out energy efficiency improvements. Measures could include improved lighting, insulation, more efficient process equipment and renewable energy. For more information: derby.gov.uk/d2ee
Support is also available for low carbon environmental accreditation and technical support consultancy from the University of Derby: see http://bit.ly/2tLYEjX
The D2 Energy Efficiency Project is run by a partnership between the University of Derby, Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.