Environmental grants and energy initiatives
Environment Unit - July 2011
Kirklees Council is committed to combating climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and
increasing renewable energy production across the district. Targets for renewable energy production have been
set at national, regional and local levels, if we are to meet these targets public and private sector
organisations together with householders will all have a role to play.
Kirklees Council has successfully delivered a number of large scale renewable energy projects across the
district, the experience from these projects has informed the policy development process. In these pages you will
be able to find out more about renewable energy, how to install it on your own home, and information on the
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy comes from sources which will not run out, for example the sun or the wind. It is clean energy
which does not produce harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change.
There is evidence that climate change is speeding up due to rising greenhouse gas emissions. This is a
worldwide problem causing drought in some areas and flooding in others. In Yorkshire, more severe floods and
periods of drought are already more common; costing millions of pounds and are factors linked to climate
change. Generating energy without damaging emissions, along with energy efficiency measures, need to be part of
all new building developments in the future if we are to protect our environment.