Energy Strategy

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Kingston's Energy Strategy

Prices might have gone down in the short term but they remain higher than January 2008 (*ref.1). The gas and electricity we use impacts on our environment; using limited resources such as gas and coal to generate heat and electricity for our homes and businesses. These issues are considered in Kingston’s Energy Strategy.   

(*Ref. BBC article, 'Long-term rise' in energy prices (19 February 2009).

Kingston’s Energy Strategy looks at ways to help save money on energy bills, be more comfortable in our homes and offices, and lead healthier lifestyles while reducing carbon dioxide emissions, which is one of the main gases responsible for climate change.   

The first step to making energy improvements and reducing carbon emissions will come from the Council getting our own house in order. The Council has been successful in joining the national Carbon Trust’s programme that guides a cultural change and investment programme for the all Council services.  

An Energy Strategy for Kingston will be led by the Council's and governed by its Climate Change Programme.

The strategy will last until 2020 in line with the Kingston Plan. This will be supported by short-term, three year programme of actions that will be reviewed and updated annually. These are presented in the Energy Strategy Annual Implementation Plan.

The Annual Implementation Plan for year 1 focused on Council actions, and is now moving to a broader set of actions across the community in year 2.  

The Council wassuccessfully accepted onto the national Carbon Trust’s programme that helped us to devise a plan to manage our energy and carbon emissions.

We joined the programme in May 2009 and followed a five step process over 10 months to work with all directorates in the council. Planned actions will help the Council save money by managing and reducing energy bills, resulting in the reduction of carbon emissions.

See the final version of the Council's  Low Carbon Management Plan below.

The Carbon Trust works with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. More information about their services can be found on their website:

To secure effective delivery of the Energy Strategy the Council is working with the Energy Saving Trust.  It's One-to-One Support Programme provided access to resources, guidance and examples of good practice to help the Council achieve change in the community.   

Find out how the Energy Saving Trust can help you as a an individual or organisation by calling their FREE advice line on 0800 512 012 or going to their website:

Future Initiatives

The Council will lead on the development of a Climate Change programme for the whole borough. This will address both the need to:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reducing our impact on future climate change (mitigation),
  and
• adapt and build capacity to cope with current and future climate change effects (adaptation).

We would like to hear from you!

• What you are doing in the community? – share your case studies with us, let us know how you or your organisation are making a change.

Contact us with details of how you are making a difference by emailing environmental.action@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

There are so many ways to reduce your impact on climate change - use the Energy Saving Trust’s carbon cutter to create a personalised action plan that suits your lifestyle. Please see the Carbon Cutter Calculator website:

The Climate Change and Sustainable Travel Group
Tel: 020 8547 5865
Email CCST@rbk.kingston.gov.uk