Great Big Green Week 2024
Low Carbon Hub is proud to have a network of 46 incredible community groups who do fantastic work to help combat climate change. Many groups organised inspiring events during Great Big Green Week to help their communities take positive steps towards a zero-carbon future. We were delighted to take part in some of the events.
Oil-Free Burford: How can a small Oxfordshire town approach Net Zero?
One of the most recent additions to our network, Burford Environment Action Group (Burford Beagles), attracted a capacity audience to their vital discussion on how a small town can approach Net Zero. The event was part of the Burford Festival at Warwick Hall on 10 June.
Burford resident, Paul Miller, skilfully chaired a distinguished panel of guest speakers including:
- Barbara Hammond, CEO, Low Carbon Hub.
- Geordie Stewart, Scheme Manager, Cosy Homes Oxfordshire.
- Gayle Pilkington, Retrofit Team Project Manager, Oxfordshire County Council.
- Hugh Taylor, CEO, Roadnight Taylor, independent grid connection consultants.
- Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader, Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment & Future Generations.
Barbara led the discussion with a positive message, that we can change if we want to. She began by outlining the Community Action Plan for Zero Carbon Energy (CAPZero), that has been developed for the Eynsham Primary Substation, and adapted the figures for Burford.
The scale of the challenge
Barbara shared some insights that show the scale of the challenge, but pointed to solutions that could motivate residents and inspire action that leads to a positive future:
- 11% of residents in the Burford area are living in fuel poverty.
- Making the change from coal and gas-fired fossil fuel heat and power to electricity means that we could halve our energy use by 2050.
- We used the same amount of coal in 2023 that we last used in 1797!
- Moving away from fossil fuels to electricity reduces final energy demand by 40%.
- We will be using fewer units of electricity so our bills will be lower.
- We could have a ‘low energy-high welfare’ society because our quality of life will improve but we will be paying less for it.
- Wind and solar are likely to dominate future energy supply and they are already the cheapest forms of energy.
- The transition to electric heat and power means we will be using more electricity, so demand reduction will be key for the transition of the electricity network.
Hugh Taylor outlined the huge challenges of future grid connection, as 70% of connection dates for the 700GW contracted to connect to the grid, are beyond 2030. On a positive note, he predicted that by 2035 at the latest, communities would benefit and be empowered by the increased availability of cheaper green electricity, generated by wind and solar.
Geordie Stewart highlighted the need to retrofit our existing housing stock for residents to be able to live in comfortable and healthier homes. He hopes to see a long-term national retrofit plan backed by government support. He encouraged Burford residents to have their properties assessed for a Whole House Plan, which would provide all the information needed for their homes to be energy efficient, ahead of any potential national funding becoming available.
Gayle Pilkington stressed the need to provide funding and advice for residents to consider carrying out energy efficient measures in their homes. She highlighted the Home Upgrade Grant funding, currently available from Oxfordshire County Council, for homes not powered by gas. Gayle felt that Burford was an ideal place to benefit from the funding, as over 500 homes are powered by oil.
The discussion ended with a moving message of hope from a member of the audience, Dr Ray Hall, who said that despite being depressed about climate change some 50 years ago, he now felt inspired that the will and knowledge was there for positive change.
Rose Hill Clean Heat Streets Anniversary and Heat Pump Day, Rose Hill Community Centre, Oxford, Saturday 15 June.
‘Swap your gas boiler for a heat pump’, was the message from Rose Hill and Iffley Low Carbon, (RHILC) as they held a busy event to celebrate their partnership with the Clean Heat Streets project to encourage residents to install an air source heat pump.
Eleanor Watts gave a fantastic presentation to an engaged audience and shared some of the facts and key moments of progress from the campaign.
- There have been an incredible 112 sign-ups out of 600 homes.
- Residents receive a discounted heat pump and a 50% reduction in heating bills.
- 80 free home energy surveys have been completed.
- 15 air source heat pumps have been successfully installed.
One of the best parts of the event was hearing directly from residents who had installed a heat pump through the scheme. One family with small children said that, despite the temporary disruption to their home routine, they felt having the heat pump had been worth it. They were motivated by environmental concerns and increasing gas bills, and felt supported by RHILC and the Clean Heat Streets Team.
RHILC rounded off the event by sharing a delicious lunch from Damascus Rose Kitchen and lots of people stayed to chat and hear more about the project.
Combe Mill Environment Day, Sunday 16 June
A nice day was had by all at the Combe Mill Environment Day on 16 June as part of the Great Big Green Week. The weather was perfect, as was the location in a shady glade by the river.
Geordie Stewart from Cosy Homes Oxfordshire and Ros Woodhead from Low Carbon Hub Energy Advice Team, attended Combe Mill Environment Day, along with other local environmental organisations, in the stunning location of the Blenheim Palace Sawmill.
Ros said “It was great to chat with visitors about how they can save energy and why they should consider retrofitting their homes. We had some interesting conversations and different perspectives were shared.”
About our community network
Our vibrant network of low carbon community groups is at the heart of the Low Carbon Hub.
Low carbon community groups hold regular events and activities to inspire everyone in their community to take action to reduce the effects of climate change. It takes commitment, determination, and lots of hard work to run a thriving group, but it’s also rewarding to work together for a common aim.
If you are interested in learning more about our network and discovering if there is a group in your area, please explore our community pages for further information. Joining a local low carbon community group can be a fulfilling way to contribute to the fight against climate change while connecting with like-minded individuals.