Sustainable Living Forum: “Energy Citizenship”

Energy Citizenship: Approaches To A Fair Transition To Low-Carbon Domestic Energy

Can the uptake of low carbon technologies—such as solar panels and heat pumps—transform us from passive consumers in a traditional, centralised system of energy distribution to proactive local communities sharing renewable technologies?

Can it be done so that everyone can benefit from and take part in the shift to low carbon, not just those on higher incomes or with savings?

Mike and Tracy will —

—share examples from their own work on engaging households facing fuel poverty as well as those able to pay for energy efficiency measures.

—guide the audience through the sources of information and support available to make savings on bills and reduce carbon emissions.

—launch a new CA 1066 project for rural Rother, funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, designed to help households get the home assessment and trusted advice they need to retrofit their home with confidence.

—lead a discussion looking at what other communities in the UK have achieved in taking control of their energy distribution and ask what might be possible for our community.

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Tracy Dighton, Chief Officer, Citizens Advice 1066
Tracy has led Citizens Advice 1066 for the last 8 years having previously managed diverse services in the voluntary and statutory sectors. She is a long-term campaigner for the environment having gained a degree in Ecology from Imperial College in the late 80s. She has run many high profile campaigns, including the Green Party’s 2010 election campaign which saw Caroline Lucas elected as the first Green Member of Parliament.
At Citizens Advice 1066, she has spearheaded a new energy citizenship approach for delivering energy advice which encompasses engaging households facing fuel poverty as well as those able to pay for energy efficiency measures in the transition to a Net Zero economy.

Dr. Mike Pepler, Senior Energy Lead, Citizens Advice 1066
With a PhD in engineering, MSc in Renewable Energy and 15 years’ experience assessing sustainable energy projects across the UK, Dr. Mike Pepler brings significant technical expertise. He is Senior Energy Lead for Citizens Advice 1066 and the East Sussex Warm Home Check Service, the pan-Sussex Energy Advice Programme.