COMMUNITY ENERGY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR 2023

At the Community Energy England Award Ceremony at the Lowry Theatre in Salford yesterday we are proud to announce that Derbyshire Dales Community Energy (DDCE Ltd) was given the Small/Medium organisation of the year accolade. Steve Martin and Dave Locke received the award on our behalf, along with a decorative plaque in recognition of DDCE’sContinue reading “COMMUNITY ENERGY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR 2023”

Consilience

 In Search of the Unity of Knowledge by E. O. Wilson I have recently returned to reading the biologist and polymath’s 1998 book in search of some answers to why there is an absence of political leadership capable of addressing our current ecological and environmental crises. I have adapted and summarised some of the earlyContinue reading “Consilience”

Community Energy Fund – latest news

Negotiations with MP supporters of the Local Electricity Bill amendments, deleted by government from the Energy Bill, have resulted in the government creating the Community Energy Fund of £10m over 2 years to help identify and develop projects in England. Once admin and running costs are deducted the fund will be £9m. At the conference last week, Olivia Blunn, Head of Local Energy PolicyContinue reading “Community Energy Fund – latest news”

Engaged in collaborative research? Try a touch of intellectual humility.

Being open to the limitations of their knowledge can help researchers to foster interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations. When Ike de la Peña encountered a lack of energy, even an air of disinterest, on a Zoom meeting, he did the opposite of taking control. He exercised humility. De la Peña, a research pharmacologist at Loma LindaContinue reading “Engaged in collaborative research? Try a touch of intellectual humility.”

DEEP REGENERATION

In the midst of today’s tumultuous times, as we grapple with a rapidly changing climate and deepening social divides, the need for action has never been more pressing. The concepts of regeneration and sustainability have long been discussed in academic circles, but we must move beyond the realm of theory and into the arena ofContinue reading “DEEP REGENERATION”

Applying Systems Thinking to the Implementation of the SDGs

Before the UN SDG Summit to be held in New York, US, this September, UN Member States must decide on their priorities for accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We argue that Member States can prioritize some Goals above others, to boost progress on the 2030 Agenda. To be able to doContinue reading “Applying Systems Thinking to the Implementation of the SDGs”

International Energy Association on Community Energy

Putting people at the centre of all clean energy transitions not only improves people’s lives but is also key to successfully implementing energy and climate policies. Local energy communities, or community-based energy projects, are showing clear benefits across the globe in deploying renewable technologies, improving efficiency, supporting reliable power supply, reducing bills, and generating localContinue reading “International Energy Association on Community Energy”

We Need a Revolution in Universities to Help Humanity Solve Global Problems

 Guest Blog by Dr Nicholas Maxwell, Science and Technology Studies, UCL The world is in a state of crisis.  Global problems that threaten our future include: the climate crisis; the destruction of natural habitats, catastrophic loss of wildlife, and mass extinction of species; lethal modern war; the spread of modern armaments; the menace of nuclearContinue reading “We Need a Revolution in Universities to Help Humanity Solve Global Problems”

PROJECT BASED LEARNING

A recent book from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) highlights how universities are not providing the majority of their students with the critical thinking skills required by employers. In their study analysing data from the US, UK, Italy, Mexico, Finland and China, 45 per cent of students were found to be proficient in criticalContinue reading “PROJECT BASED LEARNING”

Celebrating the Community Energy Pioneers in Derbyshire

There is a growing appetite for the development of community energy programmes across the UK. Currently over 400 proactive programmes exist in the UK according to Community Energy England’s State of the Sector report, which  have generated over £3 million of community benefits. In Derbyshire there are currently five second stage 1 Rural Community Energy FundedContinue reading “Celebrating the Community Energy Pioneers in Derbyshire”