OVERVIEW

"The public sector must lead by example, through tough low carbon targets for government departments, robust assessment of renewable potential, and increasing incentives for renewables deployment on its own land." (Renewable Energy Strategy)

The stability of the world's climate, economy and population is being threatened as a result of rising CO2 emissions, two-thirds of which come from the way energy is produced and used.

From August 2010, local authorities are allowed to sell energy that they produce back to the national grid, providing an additional source of revenue, ensuring energy security and reducing vulnerability to inevitable increases in energy prices.

The UK has signed up to the EU Renewable Energy Directive, which has set a legally binding target of 15% of energy from renewables by 2020. Meeting renewable energy targets is not just about preventing climate change and securing future energy supplies though. Implementation of renewable energy resources will provide major investment opportunities and create many jobs. Additionally, following a recession, and with public sector funding cuts on the horizon, renewable energy provides an opportunity to save money on energy bills, and even produce income via feed-in tariffs and through the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.

The Office of Renewable Energy Deployment (ORED) was set up by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to drive the delivery and deployment of renewables in the UK. Part of ORED's remit is to encourage greater adoption of renewables throughout central government and the wider public sector. Progress is being made, and there are some trailblazing organisations in the public sector who understand that the biggest step that can be taken in the fight against climate change is to change where electricity comes from.

Renewable energy resources can be retrofitted to existing public sector buildings, and can be factored into new builds. This is something that is happening more and more, especially in key sectors such as health, education and housing. There is, of course, a bottom line. Public sector organisations need to be able to see that there will be a return on investment, especially in the current economic climate.

At Renewable Energy in the Public Sector: leading the way to zero carbon, case studies will be presented from high achieving organisations in the public sector, giving delegates a clear idea of the overheads involved, and the benefits to be gained. There are important lessons to be learned.