PRESS RELEASE :

NB NOT for public release BEFORE 12TH SEPTEMBER.

LOCAL TEAM WIN NATIONAL AWARD FOR INNOVATION

Light Foot’s Household Energy Service (HES) is in contention for a £1 million prize, on offer by The Big Green Challenge.

HES has been named as one of 10 finalists, whittled down from over 350 applications across the UK. This September members of HES will travel to the finalists’ Award Ceremony in London. They will receive an initial £20K and then have one year to prove that their local energy service is a winner when it comes to community innovation and cutting carbon emissions.

The competition is the largest prize fund of its type. It was launched in response to concern raised by NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) that the onus for a “miracle cure” to solve climate change is too heavily focused on science and technology, whereas individuals and community groups may hold the answers.

Adam Kennerley, chief executive at Light Foot, says: “Energy efficiency is not simply a technical problem, and it doesn’t need anything shiny to make it happen. It just needs people to act. CO2 emissions can be dramatically cut through decisions made in the home. HES guides people through this process. We give advice and support where it is needed. Everyone knows it makes sense to reduce energy use … you only have to look at your latest fuel bill.”

Adam believes that while the Government has been successful in increasing awareness of climate change, it has been struggling to offer solutions that are simple and accessible to local communities determined to take action.

So what makes HES an award winner?

HES has been set up to help all kinds of people to cut carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency & reduce fuel bills. The service is operated in collaboration with existing community networks. It acknowledges that nobody can change to a low carbon lifestyle overnight but that it is a gradual process, which begins with the information upon which we base our decisions.

In each town local people carry out the neighbour to neighbour household energy surveys. The surveys are processed by a professional Energy Officer. Each participating household then receives a tailored energy report and carbon footprint.

HES continues to support participants over a long term process of change: arranging loft insulation, advising on energy saving appliances and renewables, updating grant info, organising bulk purchases, promoting local services and supplies etc.

The Household Energy Service is offered FREE to make it available to anyone and everyone. In order to do this, HES welcomes donations and the support of local volunteers.

Jonathan Kestenbaum, NESTA’s CEO, said: “We know that local communities have the drive, passion and knowledge to devise innovative responses to climate change. We are confident that Lightfoot’s Household Energy Service  will step up to the challenge of tackling the biggest single issue facing the planet.’

HES was initially developed in the town of Bishop’s Castle in 2005. During the coming 12 months, the aim is to be involving 40 per cent of the households and reducing their carbon emissions by a minimum of seven per cent.. This would equate to a total of 580 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The long-term aim of HES is to partner the town as it reduces its emissions by 85 per cent by 2050.

Energy Officer for HES, Dave Green, says :
“We’re delighted that HES has been selected for this prestigious award. We have worked hard over the past three years to make HES what it is. We are doing the right thing at the right time with lots of support from all kinds of people in the community. The people involved are our greatest strength. We have a fantastic team, both paid and voluntary. We are working with some really motivated local environment groups and we have a growing number of clients from all walks of life putting their names down for the household energy survey. The most important message is this: everyone can make a difference.”

HES is currently working in Bishop’s Castle, Clun, Montgomery, Newtown, Knighton, Bucknell & Presteigne. It is available free to anyone living within a ten mile radius of these areas and is looking to set up new schemes in the area. HES only works in collaboration with existing environmental and/or community groups.

To find out more about HES, to volunteer, or to put your name down for the initial survey, you can contact HES:

Phone 01588 638 738 or email info@light-foot.org

If there is not a HES near where you live then consider inviting us in. Our Household Energy Service is not just about good advice; it is about the tools which turn words in to action and so can be a useful partner in many communities across the UK. To find out how click here.