People and community organisations across Norfolk are being invited to help to shape green energy solutions for their community and play a role in tackling climate change.
The public are being asked to take part in a webinar which is set to be held 10am – 12pm on Wednesday 1st June and share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to inform potential sustainable community energy options for Norfolk.
In particular, organisers the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership and Net Zero East want to hear from community groups, parish councils, businesses, and schools at the important session.
The webinar is taking place to gain insight and ideas from local people and organisations as part of the new community energy kickstarter project which has been set up to identify opportunities to provide sustainable energy collaboratively within communities.
The project is currently focused on understanding factors such as land use, transport, and infrastructure in eight locations across Norfolk to develop community-based actions – such as solar energy and alternative heating – that could bring make an impact. The eight locations are Thetford, Aylsham, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Downham Market, North Walsham, the University of East Anglia, Wymondham, and Stalham.
The community energy kickstarter project is being delivered by Net Zero East on behalf of Norfolk Climate Change Partnership which brings together all the county’s local authorities, the Broads Authority, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, and the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework Member Forum. Together, the partnership aims to help develop Norfolk into an exemplar in tackling climate change and protecting and enhancing its natural environment.
The community energy kickstarter project, which is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, will provide the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership with a menu of opportunities for community energy solutions across the eight places, with the potential for these solutions to be replicated elsewhere in Norfolk.
And, it comes at a crucial time with not only an increased recognition of the importance of finding green energy solutions globally, but a need to find more affordable sources of energy to address fuel poverty.
Based on the research that Net Zero East is carrying out, and together with the feedback from the webinar, a report will be produced later this summer identifying options for community energy in the eight locations.
The Norfolk Climate Change Partnership will subsequently review the options and identify what community actions can be taken to make a difference.
Sign up for the webinar here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crf-community-energy-kickstarter-tickets-345572987107
Anyone wishing to share their thoughts but unable to attend the webinar can get in touch with [email protected]
Find out more about the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership: Norfolk Climate Change – Norfolk Climate Change Partnership
