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Annex 2 Summary of current Executive-funded support measures and initiatives in Scotland
The Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust ( EST) is a not-for-profit organisation whose work in Scotland is funded by the Scottish Executive. It runs a number of programmes which promote energy efficiency to the business, public and domestic sectors with the aim of addressing the effects of climate change.
The EST currently delivers the following in Scotland:
The Business Adviser Network ( BAN) is a geographical network of 6 business advisers and 10 energy consultants. They provide full cross-country coverage to help Small & Medium Enterprises ( SMEs) and micro-businesses implement energy and resource efficiency measures. To qualify for support from BAN, a business must have an energy bill of under £50k per annum. Free advice is provided via site visits, promotional literature and energy audits. More information on the Business Adviser Network can be found at www.energy-efficiency.org or by calling 0845 458 5040.
Energy Efficiency Advice Centres ( EEACs) give advice to the public on domestic energy efficiency. There are 2 EEAC offices based in Glasgow, and others in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Ayr, Dundee and Kirkwall. EEACs provide a range of advice and services to domestic consumers, and can guide individuals through the various grant schemes which can help with the cost of measures such as cavity wall insulation, draught proofing and other energy efficient technologies. More information on the services provided by the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres can be found at www.est.org.uk/myhome/localadvice. They can also be contacted centrally on 0800 512 012.
Within the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres, there are specialist staff who provide dedicated energy saving advice and support to local authorities, housing associations and partner organisations. Local Energy Support Advisors can help in a range of ways including developing sustainable energy strategies, identifying funding opportunities, assisting with grant bids and coordinating local and regional energy partnerships. More information on this specialist service can be found at www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/localauthorities/information/localsupport or by contacting the EEACs on the number above.
Community Action for Energy (CAfE) is a programme that is designed to promote and facilitate local community-based sustainable energy projects. The aim of the programme is to improve the quality of life of people in the community by creating local training & employment opportunities, helping to reduce the cost of fuel bills and improve the warmth and comfort of homes. For more information on the Community Action for Energy programme, go to www.est.org.uk/cafe/what or call the helpline on 08701 261 444.
In 2005-06, the Scottish Local Authority Training Resource was piloted in two local authorities (North Lanarkshire & Moray). It provided comprehensive training for staff both for use in their own workplace and in their role as service providers. It also gave them the necessary skills and knowledge to advise their clients on the benefits of energy efficiency. The scheme is being extended in 2006-07 to two more local authorities with a total of 17 expressing an interest. For more information on the Scottish Local Authority Training Resource, contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0131 555 7900.
The EST's Travel Plans is a package of measures designed to promote greener, cleaner travel choices within businesses and public sector organisations and encourage alternatives such as car sharing, public transport, walking and cycling. The travel plans are free to organisations with more than 50 employees and/or more than 10,000 visitors per year.
For organisations with a fleet of 20 or more cars and vans, the EST can provide a free Green Fleet Review. This service can help identify efficiency measures, or simply help organisations ensure that they are taking the right steps in managing their business transport. Financial and carbon savings can be made from buying the right vehicles, identifying and implementing fuel efficiency measures, driver education and reducing mileage wherever possible. For more information on both Green Fleet Reviews and Travel Plans, go to www.est.org.uk/fleet/Waystotravel/scotland.
Help is available to individuals through the EST's Consumer Transport Advice programme. The aim of this is to raise consumer awareness of the link between the type of vehicle they drive, their driving behaviour and the effect these can have on climate change. It also encourages the use of alternative modes of transport such as public transport and low carbon vehicles. The Eco Driving campaign highlighted that consumers could reduce their fuel consumption by 10% just through smarter driving. For more information on the EST's Consumer Transport Advice, including smarter 'Eco Driving' go to www.est.org.uk/myhome/efficientdriving.
Loan Action Scotland
Loan Action Scotland ( LAS) is a programme funded by the Scottish Executive and European Regional Development Fund and managed by the Wise Group. LAS provides interest free loans from interest-free loans from £5,000 to £100,000 to Scottish small and medium sized enterprises ( SMEs) for investments in energy efficient capital projects, including boiler replacements, variable speed drives and motors, and also some renewable technologies, such as biomass boilers, as long as a simple payback of 5 years or less can be achieved.
To be eligible for a loan applicants must:
- Be based in Scotland;
- Have up to 250 employees;
- Have been trading for over 12 months;
- Be able to provide technical evidence of the proposed measures to be installed and the potential energy savings;
- Be able to provide financial information which proves the company is trading at a profit.
For more information on Loan Action Scotland, go to www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/funding/scottishbusiness/financialassistance/, e-mail loanactionscotland@thewisegroup.co.uk or telephone 0800 092 9002.
The Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust ( CT) is an independent, not-for-profit company funded in Scotland by the Scottish Executive. Their main aim is to help businesses and the public sector reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption. CT offers the following range of products in Scotland to achieve these aims which can be adapted to fit the needs of the client, having particular regard to the sector that the client operates in.
Clients with an annual energy spend of £50k or more are offered a free Energy Survey. These identify energy saving opportunities and provide practical advice on how to achieve them. Savings on energy bills of up to 20% can be realised through the recommended measures. These include many no and low-cost actions that pay for themselves within a few months. More information on the Carbon Trust's Energy Surveys can be found at www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/assessyourorganisation.
Energy users with bills in excess of £1.5m per annum such as large businesses, local authorities and universities are eligible for more in-depth advice through the Carbon Management Programme. This provides up to 5 days free consultancy advice on site and the opportunity to work with CT on a long term basis. Carbon Management can help organisations manage and reduce their carbon dioxide emissions while growing profitably. It provides a strategic view of how carbon impacts on the organisation by identifying the risks and opportunities associated with climate change. For more information on Carbon Management, go to www.carbontrust.co.uk/carbon.
Enhanced Capital Allowances help businesses to invest in energy saving equipment by claiming 100% first-year capital allowances on qualifying plant and machinery detailed on an energy technology list maintained by CT. This investment can be offset against corporation tax. For more information on Enhanced Capital Allowances, go to www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/takingaction/eca.
The Low Carbon Design Advice Service has been developed to help promote the construction of more energy-efficient non-domestic buildings. New build or renovation projects that are over 2,500m_ may be entitled to free or subsidised design and construction consultancy. The larger the product, the more support available, up to and including staged support over the whole life of the scheme. More information on the Low Carbon Design Advice Service can be found at www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/assessyourorganisation/design_advice.
Eco Schools
The Eco Schools Programme is an international initiative designed to encourage whole-school action for the environment. It is an environmental management tool, a learning resource and a recognised award scheme. Involvement in the programme can help schools to:
- Encourage active citizenship;
- Improve the school environment;
- Reduce litter and waste;
- Reduce energy and water use;
- Devise efficient ways of travelling to and from school; and
- Promote healthy lifestyles.
Active participation leads to a series of awards: bronze, silver, 1st Green Flag, 2nd Green Flag, 3rd Green Flag and finally 4th (Permanent) Green Flag. In February 2007, Scottish schools met the 2008 target to have 80% of local authority schools registered in the scheme. Currently, 440 state schools in Scotland have been awarded their 4 th Green Flag. For more information go to www.ecoschoolsscotland.org or telephone 01786 468234.
Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative ( SCHRI)
SCHRI is a one-stop shop offering grants, advice and project support to assist the installation of new community and household renewables in Scotland. The scheme is funded by the Scottish Executive and managed jointly by the Energy Saving Trust and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Under SCHRI, nearly 1700 grants have been approved for household and community projects since the scheme began. Solar water and ground source heat pumps are the most popular technology accounting for around 75% of all installations. As a result of the success of the scheme, the number of accredited installers of small scale renewables in Scotland has grown from 14 in 2003 to 74 in January 2007. For more information about SCHRI, including the full range of technologies supported, visit www.est.org.uk/schri or telephone the SCHRI Hotline on 0800 138 8858.
Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal
The Warm Deal programme provides grants of up to £500 for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, tank and pipe insulation and draught proofing. It also gives advice on energy efficiency. It is available to households in receipt of certain benefits and those over the age of 60. For more information on Warm Deal, contact: Scottish Gas, Freepost, SCO 4421, Edinburgh, EH6 0BR or telephone 0800 316 6009.
The Central Heating Programme provides central heating, insulation and advice. It is available to all households in the private sector who lack central heating and where the householder or their partner is aged 60 or over. The Programme was extended in May 2004 to include householders (or partners) aged 80 or over who had partial or inefficient central heating systems. The programme has been further extended from 1 January 2007 to include homeowners aged between 60 and 79 and in receipt of the guaranteed element of Pension Credit if their home central heating is partial or inefficient. The programme provides the following package of measures:
- A central heating system and advice on how to use it;
- Loft, cold tank & pipe insulation; cavity wall insulation; and draughtproofing;
- A carbon monoxide detector (except where heating system is electric), a mains-linked smoke detector and a cold alarm;
- Advice on best use of energy in the home; and
- An optional check of entitlement to state benefit.
Further information is available from Scottish Gas, Freepost, SCO 4421, Edinburgh, EH6 0BR or by telephone on 0800 316 1653.
Central Energy Efficiency Fund
In 2004 the Public Sector Central Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF) was launched. Under this initiative, £20 million in new funding was provided over 2004/05 and 2005/06 to implement energy efficiency measures across the public sector in Scotland. The scheme covers all local authorities, health boards and Scottish Water. The money is administered at a local level and is used to set up a revolving loan fund ring-fenced purely for energy efficiency projects which bring about energy, cost and carbon savings. The cost savings from the measures are then used to invest in further energy efficiency projects and to improve frontline services. The scheme is on track to achieve a 20% reduction in energy consumption with identified lifetime financial savings of nearly £30 million so far. Identified carbon savings so far, are estimated at over 80,000 tonnes of carbon and, by 2010, savings of more than 390,000 tonnes of carbon are predicted. For more information on the Central Energy Efficiency Fund go to http://ceef.energy-efficiency.org/
Home Energy Conservation Act
The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) was introduced into Scotland in 1996. This Act designated all Scottish local authorities as energy conservation authorities, each with a duty to devise strategies to achieve significant improvements in the energy efficiency of their respective housing stocks, across all tenures, over the ensuing 10-15 years.
All Scottish local authorities published their initial HECA strategies in 1997. They were used as the basis for agreeing individual target improvements in energy efficiency. The targets, which take account of local circumstances and conditions, range from under 20% to more than 30%.
The latest HECA statistics (the latest Progress Report (2003-05) is due to be published in Spring 2007) shows that steady progress is continuing with an average 17.2% improvement in energy efficiency and an overall reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 850,000 tonnes of carbon, and that households were on average £152 better off as a result of energy efficiency improvements since the start of HECA in 1997. More information and HECA reports can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/12/heca03/2
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