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At NEF we reflect this by working in partnership wherever we can.
A few examples below may help to illustrate the range of partnerships we have already formed and hopefully inspire you to get in contact with NEF to propose new ways of working together. We define successful partnerships as those which deliver real savings in carbon dioxide emitted now and in the future, and those that compliment the independent activity of all partners in countering climate change.
Carbon Trust
We work in partnership with the Carbon Trust in managing the delivery of the Carbon Trust Standard and are also one of their delivery partners in The Low Carbon Culture Company. We strongly support the Carbon Trust's aim of "helping business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, and supporting the development of low carbon technologies". This meant that when the Carbon Trust were considering in 2004 to start up a new accreditation scheme, we worked with them to migrate the existing Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme to become a Carbon Trust owned service that has become the nucleus of the Carbon Trust Standard, providing a single national recognition scheme for those organisations that have delivered real savings in carbon dioxide emissions over a sustained period.
Link to:
www.carbontruststandard.com
www.lowcarbonculture.com
The Solar Trade Association
The Solar Trade Association Ltd. (STA) was formed in 1978 to serve as a focal point for organisations with business interests in the Solar Energy industry. This includes thermal applications, such as the production of domestic or industrial hot water and the heating of swimming pools. In addition to regulating the activities and standards of its members, the STA serves as an enquiry centre for the public, industry and governmental bodies. The Solar Trade Association receives around 300 enquiries a month asking for information on solar energy and solar panels. The number of solar water heating installations are growing each year - current estimates are that there are 50,000 systems in the UK.
The National Energy Foundation has operated the secretariat for the STA since November 2000. It has represented the Solar Trade Association at various energy meetings, Government consultation seminars and energy exhibitions. The Foundation will continue to lobby the Government to promote solar water heating systems and raise the profile of this sustainable energy on behalf of the STA.
Contact: Theresa Quinn
Tel: 01908 331900
Fax: 0870 0529194
E-mail: enquiries@solar-trade.org.uk
Website: www.solar-trade.org.uk
The Ground Source Heat Pump Association
The Ground Source Heat Pump Association has been set up to provide a forum for the industry in the UK. Its principal aims are to:
- promote the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and technical competence within the Ground Source Energy Industry to ensure consumer confidence
- represent the Ground Source Heating & Cooling industry, promoting sustainable use of the technology and engaging with government and other bodies to influence relevant policymaking
- share best practice and develop and disseminate industry approved technical standards, training criteria and codes of practice
- provide benefits to members
Contact: Theresa Quinn
Tel: 01908 665555
Fax: 01908 665577
E-mail: info@gshp.org.uk
Website: www.gshp.org.uk
In addition, the National Energy Foundation continues to support the sustainable biomass industry through its Logpile programme.
Sustainable Energy Academy
The National Energy Foundation and The Sustainable Energy Academy agreed to work together in a formal partnership from November 2007, with each charity nominating a number of members to the other's Board of Trustees. Over 6 million older homes in the UK have unnecessarily high fuel bills for their occupants and unacceptably high emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas contributing to climate change. The Old Home SuperHome campaign has developed a network of demonstration homes, mainly in urban areas where most properties lack cavity walls. It shows that existing houses can be transformed to save 60% or more energy than a typical home of the same age and built form. Householders are holding energy Open Days when visitors can learn and be inspired to carry out similar eco-renovations. We plan to provide one to two examples of low energy refurbishment in each local authority area. We see this as the start of a partnership that will lead to the two charities working closely on a number of future projects designed to combat climate change through improving energy standards in UK homes.
Contact: David Hancock David.Hancock@nef.org.uk or John Doggart: john.doggart@s-ea.org.uk
Website: www.sustainable-energyacademy.org.uk
The C-Change Trust
The National Energy Foundation works in partnership with the c-change trust, an independent charity based in Bristol, to develop and maintain the Carbon Workout. This is an award-winning personal calculator that helps people identify and limit their contribution towards climate change. By undertaking the Workout, individuals receive information and advice about how they can reduce their CO2 emissions and are able to make pledges to take specific actions and can receive regular reminders to help them check their progress.
However, recognising that there may be some emissions that cannot be avoided, there is also the opportunity to "Balance Your Carbon", and support financially the work of the Foundation and the c-change trust. Any payments made to the c-change trust will be used to re-establish, plant and maintain urban and rural Green Spaces around the UK for public use; to fund Carbon Busters - a nationwide schools programme designed to raise children with a greater connection to their environment - and to support UK-based Renewable Energy projects ranging from wind-power to research into hemp brick production.
For more information please visit the Carbon Workout.
United Sustainable Energy Agency
The National Energy Foundation works in partnership with the United Sustainable (formerly Milton Keynes) Energy Agency as part of a group of organisations focused on countering climate change by reducing energy use. The group is based at the National Energy Centre in Milton Keynes which also includes National Energy Services Ltd, the trading subsidiary of the Foundation.
United Sustainable Energy Agency (USEA) is a not-for-profit company that encourages and enables individuals and organisations to use energy more sustainably. It does this to maintain and improve quality of life for everybody and to protect the environment. The Agency was set up in 1998 by Milton Keynes Council and the National Energy Foundation with initial funding from the European Commission. Since then it has joined forces with the Watford & Three Rivers Energy Agency and Thames Valley Energy Centre. USEA is controlled by an independent Board of Directors made up of people who have a passion for making our use of energy more sustainable.
USEA works with partners to promote the more sustainable use of energy through a range of services including advice, project management, and research and marketing services along with a comprehensive information service for householders on grants and discounts for energy measures. Much of its work is delivered through the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres that it operates on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust and through services provided to local authorities in the Eastern and South-East regions.
For more information please visit the USEA website: www.usea.org.uk
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