Several reports have been published recently stressing the importance of energy efficiency including
- the recent DTI White Paper "Towards a low carbon future"
- the Assembly’s report "A Fuel Poverty Commitment for Wales"
- two papers titled "Review of energy policy in Wales" from WAG
- “Starting to live differently” dealing with climate change, WAG 2003
- “Energy saving Wales” from WAG a plan on dealing with energy efficiency , September 2004
- “An Energy Strategy for Welsh for LA’s” published by the WLGA in April 2004
As part of an improvement plan to encourage the take up of energy efficiency, a new post of energy strategy development officer was created in the WLGA in autumn 2002. The purpose and role of the post is to raise the profile and status of energy efficiency amongst Members and senior officers with a strategic responsibility for energy efficiency and climate change.
A Working Group was set up, led by WAG, to develop a Welsh Energy Conservation Action Plan covering buildings in all sectors. The draft of this plan was issued for consultation in March 2004 and was published in September 2004. Within the WLGA, work was completed on "An Energy Strategy for local authorities in Wales" which was published in April 2004. It was distributed to senior officers and Members with responsibility for energy use, the environment, buildings and housing. Work continues at the WLGA on a declaration for council’s "A commitment to Climate Change and Energy Efficiency". This is due to be launched in the spring of 2005.
For more information contact: Jim Prosser