Winkleigh Energy Clinic

In 2009, Winkleigh Parish Council worked with the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and the University of East Anglia to identify Winkleigh's community carbon footprint and a carbon reduction plan for how it could be reduced by 34% by 2020, and by 80% by 2050 to meet the challenging targets set in the UK government's Climate Change Act.

Winkleigh Community energy audit - executive summary

Winkleigh Community Energy audit - full report

Based on data from 61 Winkleigh households, the average annual CO2 emmitted per household was 13.07 tons. This is about 20% higher than the UK average of 10.92 tons (Carbon Trust 2006. This fugure includes CO2 emmitted through production and consumption of food and other goods by the household. This is not included in the Winkleigh calculations) On average in the UK, wealthier households have bigger carbon footprints than poorer ones (Joseph Rowntree Foundation). Winkleigh has an average household income below the national average.

The first step was the energy clinic where experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) advised advise residents how to measure their carbon footprint, reduce their energy use and save money.

Save energy and save money

"Energy and fuel prices have increased greatly this decade, and are projected by many experts to keep on increasing in the future. Taking steps to reduce energy and carbon emissions now, such as: turning the thermostat down, installing roof and wall insulation, replacing standard bulbs with low energy light bulbs, and installing a high-efficiency boiler or solar thermal hot water will save you money now, and is likely to save you even more money in the years ahead if energy prices increase by as much as they are projected to" Alastair Newens. MBA student from the University of East Anglia.

All residents brought along

• Utility bills for 2008
• Heating oil usage estimates for 2008
• Mileage totals for their car/s from MOT certificates
• A list of any flights or train trips they took in 2008

The energy clinic was part of a wider consultancy project being undertaken by three postgraduate carbon management MBA students from UEA with the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.