‘People’s windmill’ in Scotland
Human windmill was created in Magdalen Green, Dundee, to represent that people are at the heart of renewable energy. Friends of the Earth Scotland staff and local group members took part in the event, with the human turbine action happening all over Europe with other groups.
‘People’s windmill’ calls for communities to be centre of renewable future
More than 150 people formed the shape of a giant wind turbine in front of the European Parliament in Brussels today to call for more support for community renewable energy projects.
The colourful 'People's windmill' event aimed to send a message that citizen and community-controlled renewables should be at the centre of Europe's energy policy.
The European Parliament voting in favour of the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020 marks a major step forward in transforming Europe into a clean and competitive low-carbon economy. At least 20% of the entire budget will be spent on climate-related projects and policies. This commitment triples the current share (6-8%) and could yield as much as 180 billion € in climate finance in all major spending areas, including structural funds, research, agriculture, maritime policy and fisheries, and development.
'Winds of Change' action in Spain
Friends of the Earth Spain gathered 250 people in Fuenlabrada on 9th of November to carry out an action named ‘Winds of Change’. By constructing a human windmill, they have called for better energy policies based on renewable technologies which allow the participation of the citizens.
New Community Power Projects in Cooperation with GLOBAL 2000
The supermarket company REWE established a new community power plant in cooperation with GLOBAL 2000 (Friends of the Earth Austria). The new solar panels were installed on the roofs of supermarkets in Vienna and produce around 94,500 kWh electricity per year. The electricity produced can be consumed in the stores and does not therefore require grid extension.
The company decided to install the power plant with investment from the local community. Citizens could purchase a section of the panels and receive a guaranteed annual return on their investment.
Those who bought sections will receive a 4% annual return or they can opt to receive a 5% return in the form of vouchers to be spent in REWE stores. The investment period lasts seven years after which time the supermarket buys back the panels from the community at the original price. The project has been a huge success with all the available shares selling out on the first day-before the press could even announce the new project.
Source: Johannes Wahlmueller - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
European local government leaders look to Freiburg, Germany, for energy policy inspiration
A workshop on Procurement & Financing at Local Renewables: Improving financial access to sustainable energy roll-out took place on 25th October 2014 in Freiburg, Germany. 'It was inspiring to hear how the city has turned energy into a powerful tool to improve sustainability. The study tour and workshop have provided a wealth of ideas, which can be adapted to our own context.' said Antonio Marco Dalla Pozza, Councillor for sustainability and planning of the City of Vicenza, Italy.
Participants heard first-hand accounts of the challenges faced and solutions found in implementing Freiburg’s exemplary energy policies. Klaus Hoppe of the Energy Department and Dieter Bootz of the Department of Waste Management (ASF) outlined how the German city is using its energy policy to reach broader climate mitigation goals.
Czech Community Power Campaign
Hnutí Duha (Friends of the Earth Czech Republic) launched its new Community Power campaign in September 2013. The aim of campaign is to motivate energy consumers to invest in energy efficiency measures and the installation of new renewable energy generation. The campaign is also focused on particular municipalities and local communities of home-owners. To promote this exciting campaign Hnutí DUHA have launched new website and developed a social media presence on Facebook.
Hnutí DUHA is also working to save legislation which supports renewable energy through feed-in tariffs. Recent legal changes have threatened the development of this clean technology. However, Hnutí DUHA is working in close cooperation with renewable energy companies associations to build successful coalitions to address these problems.
Source: Jiri Kozelouh - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
International Day of Co-operatives, 6 July 2013
International Day of Co-operatives on 6 July 2013 highlighted the crucial role co-operatives can play in overcoming the economic crisis and speeding-up the transition to clean energy. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed, 'co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.'
Read the CO-POWER policy briefing here.
