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Energy use
This section is concerned with the sustainable use of energy across all sectors of the community.
Maximising the efficiency of buildings, plant, transport and other processes in the consumption of energy is an essential part of the council's sustainability strategy. Equally important are measures to eliminate unnecessary energy use, eradicate fuel poverty and accelerate the development and application of renewable energy sources.
Energy efficiency
As part of the Home Energy Conservation Act, the council works to improve home energy efficiency in our housing stock and within the private sector. For more information see our home energy efficiency page.Renewable energy
The council has sourced all of its electricity for core buildings from 100 per cent renewable resources for the past four years. We purchase electricity on a 100 per cent renewable source-generated basis for both sub 100Kw and above 100Kw sites. The over 100Kw contract was awarded to E.On for the period 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2009 and the sub 100Kw contract was awarded to British Gas for the period 1 April 2005 until 31 March 2008. We are committed, as part of our Carbon Management Programme, to procuring a 100 per cent renewable source-generated supplier when the contract comes up for renewal in March 2008. This supports the development and growth of wind farms in the UK, such as E.On’s new large wind farm in the Thames Estuary.
We have policies in place that are relevant to renewable energy in the Adopted Local Plan and some of its guidance notes. Policy SU16 (Production of Renewable Energy) encourages installations based on energy from renewable sources. This is supported by the forthcoming Microgeneration Planning Advice Note (PAN) which provides technical advice and information to applicants (or their agents) seeking planning permission.
Climate change
As part of our commitment to reduce the impact of climate change, we will be working with the local community on developing an action plan to tackle mitigation - reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adpatation - recognising the possible effects of the changing climate and planning for it. The council signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in July 2004. For more information see our climate change webpage.