Graham McLennan: Our aim is to cut carbon emissions and save money

Published on Thursday 27 October 2011 00:00

Scotland has some of the most challenging carbon reduction targets in the world. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets targets to reduce Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.

All of us – householders, businesses, government and social enterprises – have a responsibility to reduce energy use and find more sustainable ways to power our homes, our offices, our public buildings and our country.

Today, Solas Scotland, a social enterprise with 25 years’ experience in energy-saving advice, advocacy and technology, will brief MSPs about our ambition to become the UK’s leading energy cost reduction centre within two years, and how we hope to create jobs in the process. We have joined forces with energy consultancy Utility Aid to develop the Solas Utility Initiative, a comprehensive energy-efficiency scheme designed to drive down energy costs in the public, private and third sectors.

We will start with the community sector and charities, encouraging them to save money – and reduce their carbon emissions – by employing some very simple measures. We can help them procure the best energy contract. If they have smart meters installed, our team of advisers can analyse their energy use on a daily basis, and so pinpoint where savings can be made. We can advise them on the best energy-saving products, from solar to high-efficiency lighting.

The beauty of our service is it is at worst cost-neutral for customers, as they can quickly recoup their initial outlay through lower energy bills.

Utility Aid has already saved charities across the UK around £4 million on fuel bills since 2008 through its network of energy-efficiency managers.

In the scheme of things, £1m a year may not sound a lot, but when you consider NHS Scotland spent £64.4m on its fuel bills in 2009-10, you begin to understand the scope for savings. And if we can create jobs and save public money at the same time as reducing carbon emissions, we will be playing a small but significant part in helping Scotland’s economic recovery.

• Graham McLennan is managing director of Solas Scotland.

Comments

There are 6 comments to this article

Order by:

• Newest first
• |
• Oldest first

Page 1 of 1

• 1
• Show all

6

Ron Greer

Friday, October 28, 2011 at 11:08 AM

Even a 'nil by carbon' economy in Scotland would not affect world CO2 ilevels or presumed AGW in any meaningful way as Scotland only produces 0.17% of world anthropogenic CO2 and only about 20% of that is derived from electricity production. We should scrap 'investment' in wind farms( and along with it the ROC and Constraint Payments) that exacerbate the misery of the fuel-poor to the benefit of the already rich.

• Report Unsuitable

5

a33

Friday, October 28, 2011 at 07:44 AM

Which four countries have massively increased their emissions over the past 5 years? China, India, Canada and Australia, Yes, the same four countries that have prospered while Scotland, Britain and Europe have plunged ever deeper into debt and increasing unemployment. Now we are told that the GreekEurope disaster is going to be saved by loans from where?,,,,China!

• Report Unsuitable

4

Saoghal Beag

Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 04:25 PM

3 A more ludicrous argument than Nabodican's. You acknowledge that prices will increase thereofore you will not save money on your bills because it will encourage the utilities to increase their costs? Prices will increase, it is a product of the privatised enegry sector.

• Report Unsuitable

3

Richard Lionheart

Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 01:49 PM

you can cut your energy use but in the long term you will stay pay more. Household useage reduction 30% provides a reduction in energy providers profits therefore energy prices increase to compensate plus a small margin to give greater profit. The energy company then has 30% more product to sell at a margin to increase profits further. Carbon Co2 isnot a pollutant gas. It is a required element in our eco system which aidsprovides for food production and plant life. The future of Human Kind and the Planet is put at risk by this futile bid to stop carbon being produced. The planet manages Carbon production and storage, so what we reduce the pant will make up itself if an when it requires it. End GreenAnarchist policies now = Save the Human Race and the Planet

• Report Unsuitable

2

Saoghal Beag

Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 01:17 PM

1 At a domestic level Graham is offering you the chance to save money. Whether that saves Carbon or not it is in your own interest. You would rather cut your nose to spite your face.

• Report Unsuitable

1

nabodican

Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 09:27 AM

Speak for yourself Graham, I do not have any responsibility at all to reduce energy use or cut carbon emissions. Carbon is not a pollutant and is essential to life on earth. The Scottish government are simply stupid and like making targets for targets sake.

• Report Unsuitable

Order by:

• Newest first
• |
• Oldest first

Page 1 of 1

• 1
• Show all

Logged in as:

Comment here. Start typing your comment here:

Post comment

Please adhere to our Community guidelines

Your view

Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.