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Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership

Working towards a sustainable future for Cornwall

Keywords: South West, Partnership Working, Climate Change, Energy

Overview

Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership (CSEP) is a consortium of organisations from the public, private, health and community sectors that are working together to achieve a low carbon economy in Cornwall.

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More than 70 local organisations have joined CSEP, demonstrating commitment to the partnership’s goals of minimising energy demand, using energy efficiently and increasing the use of renewable energy sources throughout Cornwall. CSEP harnesses the skills and expertise of its member organisations, as well as its managing partner Community Energy Plus, to develop and implement a wide range of initiatives, from renewable energy installations to educating young people about energy efficiency.

CSEP’s work also tackles the social and economic factors that can prevent people from taking steps to reduce their carbon emissions. Almost 7,000 households have received free insulation through the Home Health initiative, which aims to make it easier for people living in low-income areas to increase the energy efficiency of their homes.

Several CSEP initiatives are being replicated in other areas of the UK and the partnership’s work is also promoted as best practice by the European Commission. Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Energy, visited Cornwall in July 2006. He said he was “hugely impressed” by the partnership working he saw and described CSEP as an exemplar for other regions in Europe.

Summary

72 local organisations are signed up to Cornwall’s sustainable energy strategy

By September 2008, Cornwall had 748 renewable energy installations

More than 9,200 homes had received free insulation by September 2008

By September 2008, the Home Health scheme had saved around 190,000 tonnes of CO2

» Background

Background

Common goals

Established in 2001, CSEP brings together the expertise and knowledge of organisations with an interest in creating a sustainable energy future for communities and businesses in Cornwall.

The partnership has more than 70 member organisations from the public, private and community sectors, including local authorities, health trusts, social housing providers, community groups, technology experts and businesses. CSEP is a part of Community Energy Plus, a Cornwall-based charity that addresses fuel poverty issues and promotes energy sustainability throughout the county.

Taking action

In 2004, CSEP led the development of the energy strategy for Cornwall, Action Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow. The actions outlined in the strategy cover a wide range of energy-related issues, from fuel poverty to local generation of electricity and heat. Each of CSEP’s member organisations has signed up to the strategy to signal commitment to working together to deliver its actions.

Cornwall County Council is now funding CSEP to produce a climate change action plan for Cornwall. The action plan, which will be published in 2009, will draw on expert advice and public opinion to set out the steps necessary to reduce Cornwall’s carbon emissions and adapt to future energy supply problems.

» The Impact

Overview «

The Impact

Pioneering sustainable energy

In 2004, with support from CSEP, Cornwall’s seven local authorities were jointly awarded Beacon Council status for their work in the area of sustainable energy. Cornwall’s local area agreement set a three-year stretch target of achieving a 69 per cent increase in the take-up of renewable energy measures in homes and community buildings. CSEP’s efforts to drive the adoption of renewable technologies throughout the county meant that two years into the agreement installed capacity had increased by more than 200 per cent.

Renewable energy projects that CSEP has recently supported include retro-fitting ground source heat pumps at social housing near Penzance and equipping a new-build community centre at Pendeen with solar panels and grey water harvesting technology. CSEP is also educating teachers, young people and their families about energy efficiency through the Kyoto in the Home initiative.

Helping the most vulnerable

One of the largest projects that CSEP has undertaken is the creation of Home Health zones in deprived areas. By packaging together funding from various local and national sources, CSEP offers free insulation to all households in Home Health zones, regardless of income and tenure. Since the scheme was launched in 2002, almost 7,000 homes have had insulation installed free of charge. Tim German, Director of CSEP, explains: “Home Health removes the stigma of means-testing, making it easier for the ‘hidden’ fuel poor to apply for free insulation and other practical support.”

» Good Practice

Background «

Good Practice

The partnership recognises that greater progress can be made on climate change when organisations work together and combine their efforts. The CSEP team co-ordinates grants from a wide range of sources in order to deliver sustainable energy projects and encourage the take-up of renewable energy measures.
Published in 2004, Action Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow was the UK’s first sub-regional, cross-sector energy strategy and action plan. More than 70 local partners signed up to the strategy, showing their commitment to implementing its actions.
Local organisations and businesses are closely involved with the development of Cornwall’s climate change action plan, which will be published in 2009. The consultation is being led by Cornwall County Council’s climate change officer, who is based at the CSEP office. Contributions from local health and education authorities, the business community and other partners, as well as the general public, ensures that the action plan will be well-informed and deliverable.
CSEP tackles the economic and social factors involved in reducing carbon emissions, as well as the environmental ones. Home Health and other CSEP initiatives are designed to make renewable energy measures accessible to low-income households. The team used deprivation statistics to help them select Home Health zones and promoted the scheme to community and health workers so they could encourage vulnerable and ‘hard to reach’ residents to apply to the scheme.

» Reference

The Impact «