Now: Invest in existing schemes to cut UK emissions
We are investing in existing community energy schemes – these are groups like BHESCo and Low Carbon Hub who have already raised funds from members of the community to fund local renewable energy projects, and are producing a return on these investments to their investors.
Any money we get back from these investments will stay with Our Green Deal to further our cause.
We would also consider investing in other schemes that reduce emissions (for e.g. local electric vehicles or charging schemes).
Future: Set up new schemes
If we find that there are not enough schemes for us to invest in then we will use our income to start new schemes. The removal of the FIT scheme in the UK is already impacting the number of new commercial schemes (industry insiders report that RWE, a major player, has massively cut back on building new wind power in the UK).
We need to go where the returns aren’t attracting traditional investment.
Future: Create tools for people to cut their climate impact
It’s very difficult to know what actions are best to take on a personal level – for example, the fact that carbon offsettting schemes are controversial is not so widely known. If we can gather data about people’s lifestyles and use that to give practical advice about how to cut their emissions on a daily basis then we can reduce the UK’s energy needs, and our job has got easier.