A message from Giovanna Speciale, CEO of South East London Community Energy:
Christmas is a time of hope but the word “hope” sometimes gets stuck in my throat when I know that Earth systems are sliding towards deadly tipping points, a climate emergency from which there is no return. Since the climate negotiations began in 1992 more carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels has been released worldwide than in all preceding human history. This year is likely to set a new emissions record. All the talk at COP 28 (world climate negotiations) failed to result in any meaningful agreement that would halt the extraction of fossil fuels. And, yet, one in five households in Southeast London cannot afford to meet their energy needs, to heat their homes, for sanitation, for refrigeration and for all the normal things we once took for granted.
But here at Selce and in Southeast London hope hasn’t taken a holiday. This year seems to mark a change in attitudes, a growing determination to work together to make that vital transition to a new energy system: one where energy comes from renewable sources, is used efficiently in homes that are well insulated and where we have a voice in how energy resources are generated used and shared. This year I’ve met more people, community groups, local authorities keen to work with us.
It’s been an exciting year: we are supporting more low-income households than ever, able to provide more help in a more wholistic way. Our Heat Doctor service is breaking new ground – simply by making sure that heating systems are working efficiently we can make a huge dent in carbon emissions and in costs. We’ve been awarded new funding to support Southeast Londoners to make their homes fit for the future and we’re building systems to enable domestic retrofit that puts the householder front and centre. Our solar and LED retrofit service continue to enable community buildings be lead the sustainability agenda by example with no upfront costs.
