Clean heat in Edinburgh: Options for your home and your community

This event will bring together all who want to see us use heat more wisely, to cut costs, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, to mitigate the risks of climate change.

What do we mean by Clean Heat?

Clean heat means universal access to low carbon and low cost heat for our homes. We are concerned there is not enough good and well-understood information available across Edinburgh in the hands of our communities. We believe we need to understand our options, and how to access the support to take action. We also consider that by joining together as communities we can access clean, affordable, environmentally sustainable heat more quickly and easily. As communities we are able to bring greater force, greater buying power and greater political leverage to influence the provision of the best heating options for our neighbourhoods. We need to know what makes most economic, environmental and social sense. We need to know how to secure it, how the local council can help, and how as active, clear-sighted and articulate citizens we can also influence and support the council to meet its net zero goals.

Knowledge- Collaboration- Action

On the 28th January we brought together friends, neighbours, community groups, political representatives and professionals whose work is dedicated to decarbonising heat, affordably across the city. Some of the key takeaways from that day included that we should continue to arrange events that prioritise decarbonisation, what role does this Clean Heat forum play to support the council, ensuring that the Council should be central to delivering DHN District Heat Networks and supporting the interest in developing community ownership.

Funding for local community renewable energy projects

On the 13th March we have arranged a follow-up meeting. Chris Morris of Local Energy Scotland will present and explain how to access the funding available to support community ownership of renewable energy, and particularly low carbon heating solutions. We shall hear from Chris Cook who has been part of a successful, ‘Heat from the Street’, collaboration with Local Energy Scotland. Chris will discuss Community Heat in the context of the “Natural Grid” approach to energy independence and resilience.

Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions

The second half of our programme is dedicated to an open discussion of ideas that you have. We shall be able to test and discuss the right size, ambition and character of a successful project.

This event will be held at the Augustine Bristo Church 41 George IV Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1ELThe date is Monday 13 March, 2023. It will start at 19.30 and we expect to finish at about 21.30

We have limited space so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Please bring your ideas and questions. If you would like to share your thoughts beforehand please send them to the [email protected]