New £2 Million Green Challenge

Posted under Blog by Ruth

A new ‘green’ challenge, worth £2 million, will see fourteen communities around Britain competing for the title of the most ‘green community’.

The £2 million worth of energy efficiency measures has been given by British Gas, as the challenge will look at which community does the most to cut down on carbon emissions, energy use, and generates the most energy. The community that wins will receive a price of £100,000 to spend on a local environmental project.

All fourteen communities are spread throughout the UK, all using different energy saving measures including renewable energy, double glazing, solar panels and a reduction in energy usage.

These communities are also serving as a test-case for a new approach to saving and generating energy that will be community-led. Some communities are also proposing ideas that have never been tried before, which will help serve as an interesting example for what can be done across the country in the future.

Community activist Ben Fogle stated that ‘if Britain is going to meet its tough carbon reduction targets, we need to look at new ways of helping people cut their energy consumption and reduce emissions’. He added that the Green Streets community project will help act as a ‘blueprint’ for future changes.

The projects around the country are supported by at least twenty residents in the area, who will all be lowering their energy usage. Judging will take place throughout the year, looking at how much energy has been reduced, how much has been generated, and how much interest has been raised in the local community.