Surprise changes to the Finance Bill in its third reading have withdrawn tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy projects, writes Georgina Matthews. While some societies are rushing to complete their fund-raising by the end of the month, others have been forced to close. If these measures are not withdrawn, a small but flourishing sector will be at risk.
… George Osborne must back down on community energy tax Georgina Matthews | 11th … 2015 Comment Energy Renewables Society Community Finance Green Economy UK … have withdrawn tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy projects, writes …
This is an exciting time for community energy, writes Julia Groves. New guidance will make it easier for local people to invest in local renewable power projects, while other opportunities are opening up for risk averse investors. And the more of us join in, the sooner we can displace the Big Six who dominate UK energy markets.
… Putting community energy at the heart of our … This is an exciting time for community energy, writes Julia Groves. New … - ordinary consumers - to make it happen. Community energy refers to renewable energy …
A partnership between an Oxford-based social enterprise and the local Council provides a blueprint for financing community energy projects, writes Wendy Twist. And with £2.3 million in the bank, things are really starting to move ...
… Pioneering community renewables in Oxford Wendy Twist | … Council provides a blueprint for financing community energy projects, writes Wendy Twist. … for renewable energy schemes will come via community share offers. This gives a good deal …
Community energy presents a real solution to Britain's energy trap, writes Hugh Bowring. And here's the perfect opportunity to find out more: Community Energy Fortnight is now under way, with over 80 events across the UK - from visits to wind farms and hydro stations, to DIY solar panel workshops and a community share offer festival.
… Community Energy Fortnight - happening … 16th September 2014 Ethical Living Renewables Community UK westmill-cut.jpg Community energy presents a real solution to …
The surprise removal of tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy schemes - effective from Monday - is unlawful and must be reversed, states a legal letter to the Treasury. But meanwhile, investments in the sector have hit record levels, with two days still to go.
… Osborne's community renewables tax 'unlawful' The … Energy Finance Renewables Law Politics UK Community westmill-cut.jpg The surprise … removal of tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy schemes - effective …
This May the Greens are hoping to win their first seats in the Welsh Assembly, and become a strong force for social and ecological progress, writes Alice Hooker-Stroud, newly elected leader of the Wales Green Party. At the heart of the vision: sustainable, prosperous, empowered communities.
… I don't know what Wales is without community, yet our governments - both from … farmers, sold by local businesses. We need community or publicly-owned renewables that …
The UK's community energy sector was badly hit by the financial regulator's sudden decision this summer to disallow renewable energy co-operatives, writes Tammy Calvert. A consultation on the topic ends tomorrow, Friday - so get your views in quickly while you can!
… Community renewable energy in the UK needs … geograph.org.uk / Wikimedia Commons. The UK's community energy sector was badly hit by the … been giving the UK's small but fast-growing community energy sector a serious headache. …
Another week, another renewable energy cut. This time George Osborne is swinging the axe at tax breaks for community renewable energy schemes, writes Aisha Gani - even though previous cuts have already made 90% of projects unviable.
… Government cuts tax relief for community green energy Aisha Gani the Guardian … Osborne is swinging the axe at tax breaks for community renewable energy schemes, writes … The government plans to cut tax reliefs for community energy schemes to build new …
The sale process of the UK's Co-op Group of its entire 70,000 acre farm estate systematically blocked community and cooperative bidders. Not a single such bid was received by the deadline.
… Community bids excluded from Coop farm sale … acre farm estate systematically blocked community and cooperative bidders. Not a … Group's 14 farms has now passed - with no community or cooperative bids made, thanks to …
Repowering London is an energising force - not just making renewable energy projects happen, but engaging communities to finance them, training young people to install them, and ensuring the benefits stay local. Lucy Anna Scott meets the dynamic Agamemnon Otero ...
… he's not yet unclipped his cycle helmet, but community entrepreneur Agamemnon Otero has … co-operative he runs, launches its latest community-owned renewable energy project - an … want to see in the world'." Solar communities Community-owned solar panels are the weapon in …
Over £1 billion could be paid out by frackers to appease local communities in the UK. Yet Rebecca Cooke finds that wind and solar offers local people a better return ...
… offers local people a better return ... A community benefits package - recently agreed … that means £25,000 annually for 30 years as a community benefit. With long-term financial … a one-off lump sum across a range of community projects. The planned 30-year annual …
The FCA is accused of undermining official policy by refusing new applications for community energy projects with a co-operative structure, writes Adam Vaughan. The key question: what is a bona fide co-op? Is investment alone a valid form of participation?
… | 15th August 2014 News UK Renewable Energy Community Green Economy westmill-cut.jpg The … policy by refusing new applications for community energy projects with a co-operative … a valid form of participation? The future of community-owned green energy projects that …
Demolishing 'sink' council estates is no way to solve social problems, writes Loretta Lees. All it does is force low income communities out of affordable housing, and open valuable urban sites up for profitable redevelopment. But then, maybe that's the point?
… Cities Society Development UK Politics Community council-estate-cut.jpg Demolishing … of being rebuilt as a new 'mixed income' community. The 3,000 or so residents once … again. They wouldn't be part of the same community." Fighting back: renovation costs a …
With so many rural post offices in the UK threatened with closure, Mark Anslow visits two villages whose residents have taken it upon themselves to deliver the goods.
… up the post. Mark Anslow | 1st May 2008 News Community-owned Shops Post Offices Rural Small Businesses Companies UK Community Society Archive_197.jpg With so many … shop and post office in West Meon, Hampshire. Community-owned and run as a mutual …
Although flowing water is fundamental to river ecosystems, temporary streams are distinctive landscape features that support surprisingly diverse communities, writes Rachel Stubbington. However, the biodiversity of these dynamic ecosystems needs greater recognition and protection.
… hardy souls are poised to contribute to rapid community recovery, but survival is not … particular, we need to learn to distinguish community responses to the natural stressor of …
When fracking came to Balcombe in West Sussex in 2013, it divided village opinion, writes Joe Nixon. But the community is now united in its commitment to locally owned renewable energy, with solar projects on schools and farm buildings, and plans just in for a new 5MW solar farm.
… village opinion, writes Joe Nixon. But the community is now united in its commitment to … company that brought so much turmoil to our community two years ago. I read this news as … that had taken hold of this once peaceful community. The anti-fracking protesters …
Campaign groups from Indonesia, Kenya and Peru have called on planners in the UK to turn down opencast coal mines in Co Durham and Derbyshire, write Anne Harris & Hal Rhoades. Not only do the mines damage local health and environment, say the activists. They also threaten global climate stability - and all countries must play their part in ending the world's coal addiction.
… damage to local landscapes and wildlife, the community made a compelling case and won a … from within Whitehall and the UK's business community. Last month Lord Deben, the chairman … pen to paper as Chair of the Myski municipal community-based organization Revival of Kazas …
The Sustainable Communities Bill - the landmark legislation tabled by MP Nick Hurd which promises to be an enabling act for local communities - has passed its third reading in the House of Commons.
… Communities Bill Local Works Nick Hurd Local Community UK Campaigns Community Politics And Economics Society News …
The UK's coal burn is not just having a huge impact on climate, writes Anne Harris. It's also devastating communities in the UK, Russia, Colombia and other nations that supply our coal power stations. Those impacted are doing their best to resist the mining companies that are destroying their land, stealing their homes and polluting their air and water. But they need our help!
… of Boquerón , a majority Afro-Colombian community of about a thousand inhabitants, … in March 2015. She is a member of Las Cruces community council Chiriguaná, where the …
Has your local pub closed down? Is your high street turning into a drab strip of chain stores? Has Tesco boarded up your post-office and turned in into an 'express' store? If so, then you need to know about the Sustainable Communities Bill. Mark Anslow asks if this is the most important piece of legislation since Labour came to power
… as a council’s idea of engaging with a local community. Instead, the local authority must … website, in local papers, and through local community groups. The idea is that as many … Woolas, Minister for Local Government and Community Cohesion, on the grounds that this …
Campaigners fighting the world’s biggest mining giants in Colombia visit the UK’s newest opencast coal mine.
… Misael Luis Soccora is a leader of a Wayúu community, in La Guajira, Colombia. The Wayúu are an indigenous community whose ancestral lands have been … in Colombia. Rosa explains that the community activists and the Colombian …
Many contemporary farmers - despite a hostile economic environment - are finding new ways to make ecological farming viable. Colin Tudge and Graham Harvey have tracked down some inspiring examples ...
… with her brother Ben, runs England's first community-owned farm. Fordhall Farm near … field, until grazed down section by section. Community owned ... After his death the … and Ben led a campaign to save it through community ownership. The farm is now owned by …
Sajid Javid's decision to allow shale gas wells to go ahead in Lancashire marks a new phase in the industry's development, writes Michael Bradshaw. But it will also trigger a new phase of organisation, protest and resistance among impacted communities. Cuadrilla, IGas and other companies may just find the 'social licence' they thought they didn't need is essential, after all.
… there is proof that the majority in the local community do not support development. Yes, … are organisations and individuals in the community in favour of development, but they … to engage effectively with the local community and make their case. It is also a …
They tried to influence government - but that's not working any more, writes John Vidal. So Friends of the Earth's new boss is taking a more radical approach rooted in community activism. And as he prepares for a storm of protest over fracking and cuts to wind and solar, he's ready to take on George Osborne in an 'ideological war' for the future of Britain.
… is taking a more radical approach rooted in community activism. And as he prepares for a … who spent the night celebrating a Welsh community's rejection of a giant opencast coal … a social justice issue because all this Welsh community had been offered was more dirty jobs …