Aim: To increase energy efficiency, eliminate fuel poverty and develop renewable energy production and land use.

Everyone has a role to play in using energy more wisely. Although awareness about environmental issues is undoubtedly being raised - most people have heard about global warming - not enough people are using that knowledge to influence their behaviour. We need to do much more to persuade people that they should act. We can learn a lot by forging links with other European countries which have already found positive solutions to these problems.

(This section should be read in conjunction with that on Transport.)

Important Issues to address

• Levels of travel by modes of transport that are energy intensive.
• Renewable sources of energy.
• Energy efficiency.
• Awareness about energy efficiency measures.

Key Objectives

• To reduce the need to travel.
• To increase the proportion of energy produced from renewable resources.
• To encourage new development to address energy conservation issues.
• To increase awareness of energy efficiency measures for existing buildings both to residential and business users.
• To increase public awareness and understanding about energy efficiency.

Actions

• Implement policies within Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's Local Plan - developments should be located where the need to travel is minimised.
• Promote schemes for renewable energy production.
• Encourage developers to exceed the minimum Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratings required for new buildings in current building regulations (80) (in line with Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's Local Plan policy INF16).
• Produce supplementary planning guidance to provide advice on energy efficiency measures for new or redeveloped buildings during 2002.
• Support the Action Rural Energy Watch Partnership Scheme (a scheme offering advice and financial assistance for the incorporation of energy efficiency measures in the home).
• Reduce energy use in social housing by improving the SAP ratings from 42.5 to 43.6.
• Encourage all partner organisations to undertake energy audits of their buildings.
• Raise awareness of simple measures that can be taken in every home to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills.
• Develop a showpiece energy efficient house or facility to promote different techniques for efficient use of energy.

Future Community Involvement

Although we have tried to involve as many people as possible in putting this strategy together, it is unlikely that we have managed to reach everybody. Over the coming year we will involve the community in further development of the strategy 

Monitoring

To include:

Links to other strands of the strategy

• The economy.
• Transport.
• Learning and skills.

Partners in Delivery

• Action Rural Energy Watch Partnership
• Business Link
• Council for the Protection of Rural England
• Energy Providers
• English Nature
• Environment Agency
• Shrewsbury Business Club
• Shrewsbury Business Partnership
• Shropshire Care and Repair Home Improvement Agency
• Marches Energy Agency
• National Farmers Union
• Parish Councils
• Severnside Housing
• Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council
• Shrewsbury and District Chamber of Commerce
• Shropshire County Council
• Shropshire Wildlife Trust
• Stonham Housing Association
• Voluntary Groups and Organisations
• Waste Contractors and Recyclers