EST state  that  if anyone  wishes  to join the waiting list it is important to note that no work should be carried out prior to receiving a formal written offer of grant in order to satisfy the grant scheme terms and conditions.

Applications received before this deadline will be processed on a first come first served basis until grant funding is fully allocated.

Completed applications must be submitted in hard copy to:

Services Delivery Team
Energy Saving Trust
2nd Floor, Ocean Point 1
94 Ocean Drive
Edinburgh, EH6 6JH

Faxed or emailed application forms will not be accepted.

Anyone living in the Dunbar & East Linton ward can still receive a BeGreen home renewables grant i.e. 20 % of eligible costs up to £1,2000. To find out more contact the BeGreen project 01368-863720 or begreendunbar@btconnect.com

Like all good relationships, it’s a two-way thing. You, our members and supporters benefit from The Phone Co-op’s low cost services and good levels of service, while Sustaining Dunbar will receive a small regular monthly income from The Phone Co-op which will help us grow and develop. To find out more, visit www.thephone.coop/sustainingdunbar or call them on 0845 458 9040. Quote ‘Sustaining Dunbar‘ and the code ‘AF0470’ to receive a £10 credit on your first bill!

We chose The Phone Co-op as a partner on the strength of our shared values. The Phone Co-op is the only real option for anyone seeking a more ethical and environmentally responsible supplier of telephone calls, broadband and line rental. Owned and democratically controlled by its customers, the co-operative is primarily concerned with giving customers what they want, namely good value, excellent service and a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable approach to business.

Their line rental and mobile services are both rated a ‘Best Buy’ by Ethical Consumer magazine and their broadband service is also recommended. What’s more, the Phone Co-op recently won the Green England Best for Customer Service Award, so you can be confident that you’ll receive high standards of service as well as getting an excellent deal on price.

You can submit your comments via this online survey

We have been  participating in the East Lothian Environment Forum which has worked with East Lothian Council to draft this policy. It is pretty concise and readable so please do take this opportunity to read and comment on it.  It will play an important role in the shaping policy at the East Lothian level which in turn will be crucial in enabling the creation of the low carbon locally resilient future which we are working for.

Join to investigate and develop fresh ideas, help make the local economy more sustainable and develop projects which progress the aims of Sustaining Dunbar to develop a more resilient, self sufficient, low carbon community and economy.

We are currently researching some ideas and hope to gather like minded individuals together to take actions which will benefit current and future businesses in the area. We plan to form more links with other local organisations and to form a network to enable communication and sharing between the various enterprise initiatives already started or being planned by Sustaining Dunbar’s working groups.

Some ideas currently under investigation are:

• The prospect of starting a market in Dunbar town centre to provide local shops and small craft and food producers with a regular novel event in which to make sales, attract more visitors to the high street and provide a stepping stone for the growth of smaller ventures. (What do you think?)
• Create stronger links with the Dunbar Harbour Trust to support their important developments of the harbour area and make suggestions for possible uses of the Battery and Lamer Island after its upcoming renovation. (Any ideas/suggestions)
• To possibly develop business incubation units in Dunbar to help increased SME formation, growth, survival and create more local jobs in the future. (What do you think? where could this be located? Do you have any spare office space?)

Please feel free to get in touch. Join Sustaining Dunbar or E-mail me at sdenterprisegroup@gmail.com and contribute what ever you can. Tell us what you think of these initial ideas and/or get involved and bring your own insights and ideas.

Russell C.

This is the text of CAT’s press release:

New report says Britain could cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs and regaining energy security.

A new report published by the Centre for Alternative Technology on Wednesday 16 June 2010, including input from thirteen universities, twelve research bodies and eight key industry players, highlights a path for a zero carbon transition by 2030. For the first time a comprehensive energy strategy has been produced that could reduce emissions to zero for all greenhouse gases and across all sectors.

“ zerocarbonbritain2030 shows how the right mix of wind power, hydro, solar, biomass – plus an intelligent grid to manage demand, can ‘keep the lights on’ and supply the energy the country needs– with major win-wins across the economy.” Paul Allen CAT

The report, aims to integrate thinking across a range of sectors and identify potential for ‘Powering Down’ through reducing demand and ‘Powering Up’ renewables to 100% by 2030 with no requirement for nuclear energy.

“We have the lifetime of this parliament to break Britain’s fossil fuel addiction. The BP fiasco underlines how important it is that we act now. If we do, we can enjoy greater energy security and a more sustainable, dynamic and resilient economy. If we don’t we will lurch from one energy and environmental crisis to another on a downward spiral. zerocarbonbritain2030 shows us how to begin the Great Transition and reveals its huge potential.” Andrew Simms, policy director of nef (the new economics foundation)

Key priorities of the report include:
Transport:
63% reduction in energy use for transport could be achieved by:
-A switch from petrol / diesel powered vehicles to electric / battery powered vehicles.
-Rail and bus services replacing domestic and short haul flights.
-Two- thirds reduction in long haul aviation using kerosene fuel produced from coppice in the UK.

Buildings:
50% reduction in heat and electricity demand could be achieved by:
- Insulation of all of Britain’s un-insulated cavity walls and lofts.
-Using natural construction materials such as wood, straw and other natural materials will lock away C02.

Land Use:
- Britain can grow most of its own food whilst still producing biomass for heating, electricity and transport fuel.
- Land can be used to mop up residual emissions through sequestration.
- A 80% reduction in livestock products that generate 82% of green house gases in the agricultural sector. Non-livestock products generate more food and have a higher nutritional value.

Policy
The report also recognizes that action in the UK alone is not enough, making the transition will require unprecedented collaboration on a global scale. The report:
- Emphasises the urgent need for an international agreement
- Explores different policy options for emissions reduction including cap and trade, carbon tax and tradable energy quotas

“CAT’s report shows that a zero carbon Britain is both desirable and achievable. The first stop on the journey should be a 10% reduction. We have tens of thousands of individuals and businesses already working towards this target. CAT’s report should serve as an inspiration to us all.” Eugenie Harvey. Director 10:10UK

Zero Carbon Britain 2030 is published by the Centre for Alternative Technology and is available as a free download or 384 page full colour book priced £39.95 (ISBN 978 1 902175 61 4). It can be purchased from CAT Mail Order (01654 705959) or from any high street or on line book retailer.

For further information, copies of the report or to arrange to speak to any of the authors contact
kim.bryan@cat.org.uk 07770881503

Currently there is uncertainty regarding the level of the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive and how/whether this will affect the  availability of grants towards capital costs for community projects. This means that the economic assessment of schemes is very difficult at present. Hopefully this will be resolved soon but even then, please bear in mind that this toolkit is very much to provide an initial assessment of whether it would be worthwhile to commission a full feasibility study for installing a biomass fired district heating scheme in your particular situation.