Governmental Bodies
Carbon Trust - 0800 085 2005
The Carbon Trust was set up by Government in 2001 as an independent company. Their mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies.
Energy Savings Trust (EST) - 0800 512 012
A non-profit organisation that provides free impartial advice. Their advice can help save money and fight climate change by reducing your carbon dioxide emissions.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Defra champions Sustainable Development, helping Government as a whole to deliver economic, social and environmental sustainability. Defra is also the focal point for rural policy, supporting strong rural communities and ensuring that dispersed rural needs are reflected in social and place-based policies across Government. The website is split into various topics and energy issues are addressed under each of these topics.
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM)
Protecting consumers is Ofgem's first priority by promoting competition, wherever appropriate, and regulating the monopoly companies which run the gas and electricity. Other priorities and influences include helping to secure Britain's energy supplies by promoting competitive gas and electricity markets - and regulating them so that there is adequate investment in the networks, contributing to the drive to curb climate change and other work aimed at sustainable development and taking account of the needs of vulnerable customers, particularly older people, those with disabilities and those on low incomes.
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Communities and Local Government sets policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. They have responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues in England and for building regulations, fire safety and some housing issues in England and Wales.
The areas most relevant to energy use are Planning and Building Regulations which includes advice on high efficiency boilers and hot water systems. www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/boilers/
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
www.berr.gov.uk/energy/index.html
The BERR Energy Group deals with energy-related matters from production to supply. It is committed to delivering the Government's policy goals of safe, secure and sustainable energy supplies and ultimately a low-carbon economy, through competitive and independently regulated energy markets.
Greater London Authority (GLA)
The GLA aims to provide strategic direction for the future of London including statutory strategies on transport, spatial development, economic development and the environment. The Environment Strategy has a legal obligation to ensure that all policies are consistent with the principles of sustainable development. The Energy Strategy covers energy efficiency, fuel poverty and London's contribution to climate change and includes support for the implementation of renewable energy technologies.
Professional Bodies
Energy Institute
The Energy Institute provides an independent focal point and a powerful voice to engage business and industry, government, academia and the public. The EI promotes the safe, environmentally responsible and efficient supply an use of energy in all its forms and applications. It maintains a Register of Energy Consultants which is a list of over 300 accredited consultant members of the Energy Institute who have expertise in a variety of energy topics, mainly around energy efficiency and energy management. http://ein.powerweb.co.uk/enconswqbe.htm
Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
CIBSE is the standard setter and authority on building services engineering. It publishes Guidance and Codes which are internationally recognised as authoritative, and sets the criteria for best practice in the profession. It provides a register of Low Carbon Consultants who are a body of professionals competent to minimize energy use and carbon emissions from buildings both in design and operation.
www.cibse.org/index.cfm?go=page.view&item=649
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
The Royal Institute of British Architects is the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession working with government to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities. It maintains a directory of Chartered Practices searchable by name, location, size of project, sector of expertise and type of service. www.ribafind.org
Trade Associations
Renewable Energy Association (REA)
The Renewable Energy Association was established in 2001 to represent British renewable energy producers and promote the use of sustainable energy in the UK. (The REA was called the Renewable Power Association until October 2005).
The website portal provides information on a wide range of renewable technologies: Bio-fuel and Biomass, Biogas, Distributed Generation, Energy from waste, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy, Solar Energy, Water Energy (Hydro, Tidal, Wave) and Wind Energy.
Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA)
The HVCA represents the interests of firms active in the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (hvacr) products and equipment. It provides a searchable register of members which includes an energy efficiency advice topic www.hvca.org.uk/mol.html
Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC)
The HHIC provides a wide range of high quality services to its members and accurate and unbiased information on all matters relating to domestic heating and hot water to the wider industry, government, installers and consumers. The website provides a heat loss calculator, Energy Efficiency checklists and a searchable register of member organizations.
Engineering Employers Federation (EEF)
The EEF provides manufacturing and engineering support and advice as well as general business support to over 6000 manufacturing, engineering and technology companies. The EEF provides guidance on the impact of climate change including a report on the business opportunities from the Low Carbon Economy. www.eef.org.uk/UK/publications/policy/public
Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC)
OFTEC represents the oil heating and cooking industry throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland and provides a competent persons scheme for oil heating in England and Wales