Energy
The UK has a target to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050
There are 2 ways of affecting emissions:
- To capture as much carbon as possible, e.g. by planting trees, seaweed farming, land restoration.
- To reduce the amount of emissions being created e.g. by moving to renewable energy.
This page and project focuses on how we can impact and reduce our emissions locally.
In February 2020 we held an open meeting on energy and had a presentation from Poppy Maltby from the not-for-profit sustainable energy consultancy REGEN. The useful notes below are from her presentation. There are website links at bottom of the page to this and other useful organisations.
What you can do…
These are easy wins for Energy that we can all do:
- Use less
- Be more efficient
- Consume renewable and off-peak
- Switch to green electricity suppliers – Ecotricity and Good Energy are the only true green suppliers
Other things you can do:
- Improve home insulation and efficiency measures
- Rooftop solar panels
- Electric vehicles
- Travel less & take public transport more
- Heat pumps
- Live upside down – bedrooms downstairs, living space upstairs
- Don’t fly
- Smart thermostats
53% of CO2 in the UK comes from petrol, diesel and residential gas use.
The plan for net-zero:
1.Decarbonise electricity with renewable generation (and perhaps a bit more nuclear power). We need 4 times as much renewable energy produced by 2050. The Dorset Coast is particularly good for wind power generation.
2.Storage, electrolysis and hydrogen to manage variability.
3.Electrify transport.
4.Electrify heating.
5. BUT – it is critical first to minimise what we use.
Energy sub-group
This sub-group was set up in the spring of 2020 and includes representatives from parishes outside Swanage. The group’s aim is to find energy solutions that enable communities across Purbeck to reduce their carbon footprint. It is currently exploring how to increase the production and use of local renewable energy.
Dorset Community Energy
Twenty-four solar installations, one hundred and ninety-eight shareholders, and 1500kW of solar photovoltaic panels on schools, community buildings and hospitals in Dorset.
Healthy Homes Dorset
Healthy Homes Dorset helps Dorset residents keep warm by installing loft and cavity wall insulation.
We also offer free, impartial energy advice.
Low Carbon Dorset
Low Carbon Dorset is a five year programme of activities to help stimulate growth in Dorset’s low carbon economy and reduce the county’s footprint.
Regen Energy Experts
Regen is a not-for-profit centre of energy expertise and market insight whose mission is to transform the energy system for a zero carbon future.
Regen offers independent expert advice and market insight. We use our technical expertise, industry research and policy knowledge to support a range of public and private sector organisations to make the most of their clean energy opportunities.
Solar Streets Swanage
Solar Streets is a way of getting solar panels for your house or business at discounted prices.
