Climate change
Climate change presents the county council and the Staffordshire public with both challenges and opportunities. By acting now and working together as a county, we can tackle the impacts that could arise, and at the same time benefit from initiatives that save money and protect the environment.
What is the county council doing?
Please see our corporate climate change strategy document to see how we are reducing our carbon emissions. We are also looking at ways in which our residents can adapt to climate change.
How can this be done?
This can be achieved from a range of measures. Some are achieved at no cost, such as our schools' energy efficiency scheme. Some require investment, such as installing solar panels and biomass boilers.
We also work on many projects in partnership with Staffordshire’s district and borough councils, universities, emergency services, the Civil Contingencies Unit and community groups to ensure a county-wide approach to climate change.
Grants
Most local authorities in Staffordshire provide help for householders to repair, improve or adapt their living accommodation. Thermal insulation is one of the measures covered.
Help may be available in your district:
Energy company obligation
You may be eligible for financial assistance towards energy efficiency measures if you meet certain eligibility through the energy company obligation (ECO). This covers:
- Affordable warmth obligation: Low income and vulnerable households (not in social housing) may be eligible for free heating and insulation improvements.
- Carbon saving obligation: Those living in properties with solid walls and hard-to-treat cavity walls may be eligible forfree insulation.
- Carbon saving communities obligation: Households in the 15% most deprived areas in the country may be eligible for free insulation measures. There is also support available for rural populations with people in areas with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.
Check with your existing energy supplier to see if you’re eligible for any assistance through ECO or any other grants such as the warm homes discount.
You can also contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 for free and impartial advice on energy saving and any financial assistance that may be available.