The European Union Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is underway; the aim of the week is raise awareness of sustainable energy across Europe to accelerate Europe’s transition to clean, secure and efficient energy.

Sustainable energy is an area that Nottingham is leading the way in. Nottingham is currently the most energy self-sufficient city in the UK and has recently beaten its climate change target four years early. Many Nottingham businesses and organisations have a fantastic green approach to delivering products and services and Nottingham City Council is proud to be doing its bit; increasing its use of sustainable energy and supporting organisations across the city to be greener.

Since 2007 Nottingham City Council has decreased its own carbon footprint from its operations by 31%, this has been through investment in green energy such as solar panels and energy efficiency measures such as LED lighting.

Nottingham City Council’s sustainable energy credentials include

  • Solar panels on over 40 council owned buildings
  • The UK’s first public owned solar car parks at two leisure centres
  • Award winning LED lighting programme across their historic buildings
  • So far over 75 council owned buildings have had Led lighting upgrades
  • This year the council starts a programme of works to improve the energy efficiency of its investment portfolio properties and expects to invest around £2.5m on these buildings.
  • The council’s head office, the council house and other civic buildings are connected to the city’s District Heating Network, the buildings’ heat, hot water and electricity are generated through low carbon energy-from-waste.

Green energy is not only good for the environment but in the long term it can save businesses and households lots of money on their energy bills. Last year Nottingham City Council invested in 19 sustainable energy projects including solar energy and energy efficiency measures in its buildings which will save the council £110,000 a year on its energy bills.

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability, said:

“It’s a great achievement that the council has reduced its carbon footprint by 31% since 2007, we are leading the way when it comes to investing in energy efficiency in our buildings proving that councils can be greener and save money at the same time”

You can find out more about the week here https://eusew.eu/