Summit to back local businesses on green deal
Council leaders are backing local businesses to help boost Cambridgeshire’s economy when a project to revolutionise the energy efficiency of the nation’s homes and businesses is launched in the autumn.
At a summit held at Cambridge’s SmartLIFE Centre on Tuesday (3 July) – one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the region – council energy bosses discussed with local firms, community and volunteer groups how they can work together to improve the quality of properties and retain up to a possible £800 million of investment in energy efficiency measures within Cambridgeshire.
From October 2012, the Government’s Green Deal policy will mean many energy efficiency and renewable energy measures can be installed in homes and businesses at no upfront cost with works being paid for out of savings on the energy bill.
It is currently estimated the annual reduction in Cambridgeshire’s non-transport carbon emissions could be 13% once investment is made.
At a meeting last month, councils, community groups and companies involved in greener energy – such as assessors, installers, builders and South Cambs’ Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership – explored the foundations of how they can work together to help residents and businesses interested in using the Green Deal get the best outcome.
The project to make sure Cambridgeshire is ready for the Green Deal is being run in partnership across all the local authorities in the county. It is funded by Sustainability East, on behalf of Improvement East, using funds from the Climate Change Skills Fund.
Cllr Nick Wright, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “The Green Deal is a fantastic opportunity for residents to cut their energy bills and really improve the quality of their own homes without the barrier of large upfront costs.
"Councils across Cambridgeshire are looking to work together to make sure we achieve the best possible results for our residents, but we also see it as a huge opportunity for our businesses who are in the supply chain for energy saving and green technologies.
"We firmly believe by giving our businesses the right support we can make sure that the millions of pounds of investment which could be unlocked have the best chance of staying locally.”
Anyone interested in the Green Deal can find out more by logging on to www.cambsgreendeal.org.uk, or by logging on to Twitter and following @cambsgreendeal.
Contact South Cambridgeshire District Council
- Phone 03450 450 500.
- Fax 01954 713 149.
- E-mail scdc@scambs.gov.uk.
- Website www.scambs.gov.uk.
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