Meeting of the Parliament 13 March 2014
I thank Claire Baker for bringing the motion to Parliament and I welcome the members of Greener Kirkcaldy to the gallery.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to talk about Greener Kirkcaldy, because I have been following the project for several years. The community-focused organisation first opened its doors in 2009 after receiving funding through the Scottish Government’s climate challenge fund. Since that day, Greener Kirkcaldy has supported individuals, families and companies in reducing their carbon footprints and fuel bills. The free and individualised advice that is offered by the organisation has truly helped many of my constituents.
Considering that all major energy companies significantly increased their prices in 2013, I believe that the work that is done by Greener Kirkcaldy is of even greater importance. Statistics indicate that simple measures to save energy can have a huge impact. They include actions ranging from being more conscious about a household’s energy consumption to adapting homes to modern environmental standards. For example, the addition of 270mm of loft insulation can reduce annual heating costs by up to £175. That sum of money could make an incredible difference to vulnerable families in the community. Cognisant of such potential savings, an ever-increasing number of people are interested in reducing their carbon footprint and thereby cutting fuel bills. Accordingly, Greener Kirkcaldy has seen an increase in individuals seeking advice, with a record high of 1,030 cases between October and December 2013.
Integral to the success of Greener Kirkcaldy is its flexible and personalised approach to offering support. People who are seeking help can contact the advice centre directly and attend events and talks organised by Greener Kirkcaldy, as well as ask for an in-depth home energy advice visit. During such visits, a wide range of topics is discussed, including needs for implementing insulation and options for using renewable energy or switching tariffs.
Moreover, the organisation not only aims to treat each client equally, but develops individually tailored solutions for each case. The hundreds of people who contact Greener Kirkcaldy every month provide many examples that perfectly illustrate that philosophy. On my visit to Greener Kirkcaldy last Friday, I was made aware of two special cases that highlight how beneficial the organisation’s work is to many families.
An elderly lady in my constituency was concerned about her husband’s medical condition making a home visit from Greener Kirkcaldy complicated. However, the couple were reassured and allowed an energy adviser to visit their semi-detached house. During the visit, the family were advised to implement basic draught proofing. Shortly after a decision was taken to do that, the organisation’s free handyman service installed radiator panels, draught proofing, LED light bulbs and a thermal door curtain. The couple were extremely pleased by how simple and uncomplicated it was to put into practice the advice that Greener Kirkcaldy gave and they have successfully reduced their fuel bills.
Reducing the share of expenditure that is reserved for fuel bills was also the main concern of a single mother who approached Greener Kirkcaldy last July. She lived in a privately rented house and had to minimise heating to keep her fuel costs low. As she faced another winter in a cold house, she was determined to change her situation and improve her heating system. An energy adviser from Greener Kirkcaldy visited her and identified the old boiler and a lack of insulation that allowed heat to escape as the main causes of high fuel costs. She was made aware that, because of her limited financial possibilities, she could qualify for a boiler upgrade as well as free insulation from the affordable warmth scheme that is offered through the Energy Saving Trust. Thrilled by those options, she applied to receive assistance and, only four days after the initial call, her home was provided with cavity wall insulation.
Besides helping people to create environmentally friendly homes, Greener Kirkcaldy has launched a diverse set of projects to promote greener living, which include running an eco-shop, establishing an orchard and working in co-operation with schools. Working in conjunction with schools has proven to be a successful strategy in educating young people on basic energy-saving methods and the importance of buying locally sourced food. I hope that they will take that knowledge into adulthood, which will benefit not only their communities but the wider environment. Regular workshops for interested citizens of all age groups are being held at Ravenscraig walled garden, where they are shown how to grow their own vegetables, fruit and herbs.
The Greener Kirkcaldy team participated in celebrating national climate week last week. Members and volunteers intensified their efforts to approach the citizens of Kirkcaldy directly, and the handyman service and energy advisers gave families further advice on how to make their homes cosier and more environmentally friendly. In particular, they addressed mothers by giving them tips on how to cut fuel bills.
I commend Greener Kirkcaldy’s great work in promoting more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient living in my constituency. The organisation is an excellent example of a successful community-led project and I wish all its members and volunteers the best of luck for the future.
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