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Energy more of a charitable concern than ever

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Charity non-profit

Charities have always been active in the energy and environment sectors, often by initiating change through government and consumer-targeted campaigning. But the shape of third sector organisations how they interact with other bodies is changing as low carbon issues become more mainstream.

Technology has been a driver of this change. Quite a few bodies have established with specific renewable energy aims, both in the UK and abroad. SolarAid, which works to get solar technologies in the hands of people in the developing world, has recently signed a partnership with micro inverter manufacturer Enphase Energy. The company seem to be leading the way in using its established infrastructure to aid charity work, with another partnership in the US providing solar power and job training to disadvantaged communities.

The voluntary sector at large contributes £11.7billion Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy – and sources of funding support are broadening all the time. Charities in the States are setting some good examples of how energy efficiency upgrades can be made to homes using a mixture of charitable donations and social investment through crowdfunding platforms.

Interestingly, when British Gas were censured for hitting only just under two-thirds of its Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) obligations recently, the company was told by Ofgem that the £11.1million fine would have to go to charities helping those vulnerable to energy poverty.

This could be a sign that charitable organisations are seen as ‘safe pairs of hands’ in delivering for communities, though it will be interesting to see which bodies the money goes to. Reporting of the story often did come with the suggestion that the beneficiary could be the British Gas Energy Trust. The company is not alone in establishing a charitable arm, and while such company-backed independent trusts may not garner as much, well, trust as others, it does show that energy companies are recognising a broader social role beyond shareholder profit. As long as lots of homes get made warmer, bills are made more manageable for those in need and the UK reduces its carbon emissions, it might be argued that who does the work is not all that important.

Given the opportunities for reducing overheads – as, if not more important within charitable causes – charities with main business outside the energy and climate sector are also seeing the benefits of going green. For one good example, The National Trust has made a multi-million pound investment in renewable energy to power its historic properties.

There have been some tensions between energy developments and charities working to aid other societal issues, including the odd example of food waste from stores being used for biofuel as opposed to given out for homeless people. Compromises are important in a world of competing – and valid – interests.

While we’re on the subject of economics, energy and society, here is the stated mission of our charitable arm, the Energy Saving Trust Foundation.


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