Winner: Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership (CSEP)

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is an area of the UK that perhaps could be thought of as an idyllic ‘surfer's paradise', but the reality is that the area suffers severe deprivation. To combat this, Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership was established, and currently has more than 70 partners working towards preventative and sustainable measures.

Judges' comment:

"This is a truly excellent example of what can be achieved by a public-private partnership in the development and delivery of significant carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction through energy efficiency and low carbon technology solutions. The Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership has demonstrated leadership through engagement with neighbourhoods and has facilitated a journey to low carbon communities of the future."

www.csep.co.uk

The partnership harnesses expertise from all sectors, including local authorities, health trusts, social housing providers, community groups, education providers, technology experts and local businesses. Tim German, Director of CSEP, says that through the method of "influencing strategy, supporting and co-ordinating action, attracting funding, and creating change", the partnership aims to tackle deprivation issues ranging from fuel poverty, social exclusion, energy efficiency and climate change to health and wellbeing.

Over its seven-year history the partnership has supported many renewable energy projects, including the UK's first commercial wind farm in Delabole, and encouraged the use of renewable technology in community buildings, schools and education centres through the introduction of solar panels and grey water harvesting. The partnership pioneered retrofit ground source heat pumps in social housing in Penzance to help households benefit from affordable, low-carbon heating.

"Nearly 7,000 homes had at least one major energy efficiency measure installed"

Accessibility is key to tackling fuel poverty issues and so CSEP's solution was to offer free insulation to those in energy deprived areas, regardless of their household income or tenure. This scheme works in named Home Health Zones and aims to help those experiencing ‘hidden' fuel poverty and remove the stigma of means testing. Begun in 2002, the success of the first three phases of the project led to new partners, more funding and additional help - ranging from free security measures to fire safety checks and assistance for ‘hard to treat' homes.

Nearly 7,000 homes had at least one major energy efficiency measure installed by the end of 2007, the success of which means that the schemes can be replicated throughout the UK and promoted as best practice by the European Commission. Whether it is the Kyoto in the Home project, which aims to educate teachers and students about energy efficiency, or developing a sustainable energy toolkit and benchmark for local authorities, the partnership has put Cornwall on the map with its pioneering social, economic and environmental agenda.

Project highlights 

• Carbon reduction is not just an environmental issue - there are economic and social factors that need to be tackled too.
• Large-scale carbon reduction can be achieved by influencing central and local government strategy, developing and promoting sustainable policies and plans, removing barriers and facilitiating practical solutions locally.
• Working towards a sustainable future benefits from cross-sector input, strong leadership and excellent community engagement.