Making buildings and manufacturing energy efficient and supplying all energy with renewables
Where do we need to be?
In 2022 members of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Working Group carried out detailed modelling of what would be necessary for Bruton’s building stock to become zero carbon by 2030. We worked out how many solar panel and heat pump installations and how much tree planting would need to be done:
- If 50% of the housing stock had solar panels and heat pumps and had its energy performance improved, and if those businesses able to do so fitted roof-top solar…
- 3 hectares of land would need to be found for a solar farm large enough to compensate for non-renewable energy imported from the grid in 2030,
- 102 hectares of broad-leaf woodland would need to be planted to absorb the CO2 still being emitted locally.
We need to do all that we can to move in the right direction.
Where are we now?
The UK has made a lot of progress in reducing the carbon emissions from electricity generation, but:
- Housing remains one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
- The local housing stock performs poorly when energy performance is considered, with 58% having an EPC rating of D or poorer.
- Only 5% of Somerset’s energy is supplied by local renewable sources.
Locally:
- A partnership with Solar Streets (now ended) led to 20 additional solar panel installations.
- Retrofit Bruton and Cary (also now ended) delivered professional advice about energy improvements to local homes.
- Bruton Library loans a thermal imagining camera.
What do we need to do?
Whilst the local initiatives described had some impact, it is apparent that major progress in reducing domestic and business emissions is dependent on factors outside local control.
It is unacceptable that homes are continuing to be built with fossil-fuel heating and are being built with less than exemplary energy performance. An amendment of the Town Council’s planning policy needs to take this into account.
Continue to encourage the uptake of heat pumps, roof-top solar and insulation improvements by:
- Identifying and championing local early adopters, setting up talks, home visits etc.
- Continuing to participate in and support county-wide initiatives.
Research others’ community energy initiatives to establish the most appropriate model for Bruton. The aim should be (given community backing) to establish some generation and storage capacity locally using either or both of solar and hydro.
Promote the sharing of best practice between businesses, engaging the support of the Chamber of Commerce to do so.
