UK-wide Organisations
Community energy resource from DECC – This resource has been developed to support local authorities and community groups in their role as initiators, supporters and developers of local low carbon and renewable energy projects.
Generate your own energy – Energy Saving Trust all the information you need to get started.
Microgeneration Certification Scheme – find installers certified to install microgeneration technologies used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources.
Scottish-wide Organisations
Climate Challenge Fund - supports communities to tackle climate change by reducing their carbon emissions and increasing their capacity to take action.
Co-operative Development Scotland – supporting the development of co-operative enterprises in Scotland.
Community Energy Scotland – an independent Scottish Charity, actively supporting and funding community groups throughout Scotland to develop sustainable energy projects. Delivers the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme Loan Fund CARES.
Eco Congregation Scotland - helps congregations link environmental issues to their faith and take action in their church and local community. There are currently 278 eco-congregations in Scotland, including 41 in Edinburgh.
Eco-Schools Scotland - engages children and young people in key issues including the environment, sustainability, global citizenship and the value of a low carbon future.
Energy Action Scotland –national charity working to end fuel poverty and achieve warm dry homes for all.
Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centres (ESSac) Call free on 0800 512 012 during office hours to speak to a specialist advisor in your nearest Energy Saving Scotland advice centre.
Energy Saving Trust (Scotland) – The Energy Saving Trust in Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government. It manages five advice centres in Scotland specifically designed to help consumers take action to save energy. A good place to find out what loans and grants are available.
Energy4All Scotland – delivers community ownership of renewables through co-operatives
Existing Homes Alliance - a coalition calling for urgent action to transform Scotland’s existing housing stock and make it fit for the 21st century.
Green Business Partnership - offers Scottish businesses a range of environmental services tailored to your specific needs.
Green Homes Network – aunique opportunity to visit green homes in your area. Find out first hand how different renewables systems run in real homes.
Home Energy Scotland Hotline – more info on the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centres.
Scottish Education and Action for Development (SEAD) – supports individuals and communities in developing community-led solutions to tackle climate change, through positive community action.
Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum – groups working together to ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable, no-one is living in fuel poverty by 2016.
Edinburgh-wide Community Groups
Changeworks – Sustainable development charity based in Edinburgh, which works to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
The Edinburgh Association of Community Councils – formed in 2003 to provide a forum where the city’s community councils could meet to discuss issues of common concern and, where appropriate, speak with a common voice.
Edinburgh Community Backgreens Association created to inspire and support tenement dwellers to work with their neighbours to create beautiful and bountiful backgreens.
Friends of the Earth Edinburgh – a local group that campaigns on environmental issues affecting Edinburgh.
My Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Community Network: Community Councils Community Centres
Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign – see tenement bike storage factsheet
Transition Edinburgh – People volunteering to tackle ‘transition’ in Edinburgh. The purpose of a ‘Transition Initiative’ is to raise awareness of both Climate Change and Peak Oil issues and the effects they will have on the whole world and smaller communities.
Local Groups
Balerno Village Trust – hopes to install a micro-hydro electricity generator at Harlaw Reservoir.
Community Alliance Trust, Green House – set up by the Craigmillar Regeneration Forum to develop community assets and new social enterprise initiatives in the Craigmillar area and improve the quality of life of Craigmillar residents.
Granton Information Centre – Drop-in Energy Advice Mondays and Wednesdays at 134 West Granton Road.
Greener Leith – a non-profit group run by volunteers. We need your support! The more members we have the greener Leith will get.
Greener Leith Social set-up by Greener Leith as a place where anyone with an interest in Leith can get together, share information, have fun, debate things, and perhaps solve some neighbourhood problems together.
Juniper Green Community Council – Farmers’ Market last Saturday of the month, Dental Surgery Car Park Lanark Road.
North Edinburgh Trust – ran a Climate Challenge Funded project – NET Your Carbons – in 2010.
PEDAL (Portobello Energy Descent and Land Reform Group) – Portobello Transition Town.
Transition Edinburgh Pentlands
Transition Edinburgh University - a community project based at the University of Edinburgh set up to help students and staff reduce their impact on the environment.
News & Useful Information
Micro Power News – weekly news on Micro Power and Community Energy from across the UK. Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails here.
Powering Edinburgh Into the 21st Century – Report written by PBPower Energy Services Division for City of Edinburgh Council, WWF Scotland and Greenpeace
Power of Scotland Explained – debunking the myths about renewable energy and the security of our electricity supply.
Maximising the Minimum – the need for minimum energy performance standards in private housing, WWF Scotland 2011
Other
Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North & Leith – Mark initiated the co-operative and chairs the board.
