Sustainability & Environmental Consulting
Bio Regional
Full Credential Description
Bioregional faced significant challenges in addressing the energy efficiency of existing homes in the UK, which contribute nearly a quarter of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The organization recognized that retrofitting these homes was essential for reducing carbon emissions and alleviating fuel poverty, particularly among low-income and elderly residents who struggle with energy costs.
To tackle these issues, Bioregional implemented several partnership projects aimed at retrofitting homes with energy-saving measures and renewable energy supplies. One notable initiative was the trial of the Green Deal, a government-backed loan scheme launched in 2013. In collaboration with Sutton Council and B&Q, Bioregional facilitated interest-free loans for homeowners to make energy-saving improvements, supplemented by a 40% grant towards the costs. This trial involved nearly 70 households, with an average capital investment of around £13,000 each.
In 2013, Bioregional partnered with Cherwell District Council to promote the Green Deal in Bicester, Oxfordshire, funded by the Department for Energy and Climate Change. This project provided 100 free energy appraisals, leading to the installation of energy-saving measures in 14 homes and two small businesses. These measures included enhanced insulation, new gas-fired boilers, LED lighting, and solar energy systems.
Despite these efforts, Bioregional identified significant shortcomings in the Green Deal, which hindered its success and led to low uptake across the UK. In response, they collaborated with the Association for the Conservation of Energy to produce a report analyzing these issues and proposing actionable solutions. The findings were shared with government officials and key stakeholders in energy efficiency, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive home energy retrofit program.
In 2015, Bioregional was commissioned to write a report titled "What Works," which examined effective policies for encouraging households to adopt energy-saving measures. This research, conducted with experts from the Universities of the West of England and Birmingham, aimed to identify strategies that could facilitate the widespread adoption of energy efficiency improvements, ultimately benefiting millions of households through reduced energy consumption and lower bills.