Impact Report 2019-20 ERN W EV YE I S E N N N E Y R H Y T

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M S LY R Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas N E A CEO, Severn Wye Energy Agency E Y

I can hardly remember a who — even at the dawn of 2020 — continue to In order to slow down climate change, we experience ill-health and the hardship of living in more exciting time to be a cold home. must firsteliminate poverty. We must change working in sustainability. The following pages look back over a the unsustainable lifestyles of so many of us. remarkable year of our history. Amid the 2019 was a year like no other, as we watched uncertainty of Brexit and the anxiety of the public awareness of environmental sustainability We must abolish corruption. And we must climate emergency, it was a year where we virtually explode. What a way to celebrate twenty have been proud and humbled to see so many think about our growing human population. years of Severn Wye. join us as we journey towards a more positive, But I believe we have a window of time to It finally feels like the tide is turning and across equal, sustainable future. It was a year in which the world there is a renewed appetite to grasp we renewed our strategic objectives, aligning have an impact. the nettle — both at an individual and societal ourselves ever more clearly with national and level — and take responsibility for the challenge international sustainability principles; and that is before us: to create a healthier, more began measuring our impact in deeper, more Jane Goodall sustainable way of life. meaningful ways. TIME Magazine, September 2019 To Severn Wye, sustainability means many Thank you for continued partnership, friendship things. We are as committed as ever to and support as we stand on the edge of what promoting a cleaner, greener, more sustainable we hope will be an exciting new chapter, making energy system. We work towards a lower positive change happen now, and for the future. carbon future and champion initiatives that help everybody play a part in a low carbon economy. But we recognise that a sustainable society can Simone only be built if each of us enjoys a sustainable, healthy way of life. This is why we continue to Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas address inequalities that threaten sustainability: CEO, Severn Wye Energy Agency standing up for those in rural communities facing uncertain futures, at risk of being ‘left behind’ as society develops and advances; harnessing the value in communities to support those suffering in-work poverty; and advocating for the fuel poor,

3 06 The year of sustainability 08 Celebrating Contents 20 years

10 Defining what is important 12 Sustaining warm homes

16 Sustainable communities

20 Sustainable organisations

24 Sustainable technologies

28 Sustainability education

32 Financial summary

Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd 33 Leading by Unit 15 Highnam Business Centre [email protected] Highnam www.severnwye.org.uk example Gloucestershire @Severn_Wye 34 The future GL2 8DN Company No: 03830608 01452 835060 Charity No: 1083812 Future Generations Bill introduced to Parliament requiring ministers to consider long-term sustainability implications of policies

‘Earth Overshoot’ Day earliest on record Greta Thunberg addresses WCVA release Natural resources expended by 29 July Plastic bag usage found World Economic Forum landmark ‘Empowering MARCH to be down 90% since “Our house is still on fire” speech Communities’ report 5p charge introduced Bevan Foundation reports on poor Welsh Government economic resilience in introduce focus on Welsh communities BEIS finds energy building sustainable efficiency installs down Foundational Economy FEBRUARY by 85% in five years

IFS reports on 10-year Marmot Review of increase in number health inequalities cites fuel of working poor poverty as major concern UN Climate Summit JANUARY 2020 in New York JULY IPCC urges better land use “How dare you” speech UK agrees net- zero emissions Greta Thunberg named TIME target for 2050 magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ DECEMBER AUGUST

JUNE Europe suffers record- Circular economy ‘number one breaking heatwaves priority’ of EU net zero plans Global climate NOVEMBER strikes take place SEPTEMBER Committee on Climate Change releases UK approves opening of new coal mine ‘net zero’ report MAY UK Government first to declare a climate emergency OCTOBER UK wind power Guardian switches becomes cheaper language from than natural gas APRIL 2019 ‘climate change’ to ‘climate emergency’

Extinction Rebellion begin Renewables generate London Protests more than fossil fuels 1,130 arrested for the first time

6 7 Celebrating 20 years

2019 was a milestone year winning programmes in the fields of Energy Education and Awareness, Affordable Warmth, for Severn Wye. Energy Efficiency and Retrofit, Renewable Energy, Community Energy, Carbon Sequestration Celebrating our 20th anniversary provided us and Sustainable Community Development. with an opportunity to reflect on our past and More often than not these areas overlap, and plan for our future. our programmes have evolved and expanded In 1999, an EU-funded initiative created a to reflect this. It has been a constant learning network of regional ‘energy agencies’ to provide experience. One that has directly informed our independent, impartial advice and expertise strategy of taking the learning from our practical on all aspects of sustainable energy, the energy delivery experience (Acting Now) to inform policy transition and tackling fuel poverty. Severn Wye and technology (For the Future). is proud of that heritage, and our continued links Five years ago we engaged with communities and collaboration with that network. We remain over the wellbeing goals, contributing to the on the Board of Directors for Fedarene, the National Conversations that shaped the Well- European network of energy agencies. being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. So, in a year in which we saw Brexit Not only has this provided a framework which confirmed and, at the same time, the rise of last year was presented to Parliament as the ‘Net Carbon Zero’ and ‘Climate Emergency’ Future Generations Bill, but our ways of working declarations, it feels appropriate to stop are based on the Five Ways of Working outlined and reflect on our experience of twenty in the Act. This approach of working in a place- years’ delivery as an energy agency, and its based way for long-lasting impact delivers relevance for the future. tangible and replicable results, as evidenced by the stories in this report. It is something we are We live in a society where people now seek a incredibly proud of and something we could not way to practically take action on climate change have achieved without our funders and partners. and reach those Net Carbon Zero targets. In this context the ‘Energy Agency’ model – whilst In a changing world we recognise the not widely known in the UK – offers a solution. importance of collaboration and involvement, Climate Change and the Energy Transition have and we look forward to creating partnerships been core to our purpose since our creation. over the next 20 years that help achieve Over the years, our understanding of how our purpose of creating a world where regional and local energy, communities and resources are used sustainably, communities policies are woven together has deepened. This are resilient against inequalities and climate has enabled us to develop tailored and award- change does not threaten our future.

8 9 Measuring success Defining what is important We are part of a global sustainability movement.

As such, this year Severn Wye began to consider sustainability that led us in 2019-20 to refresh In 2019-20, we renewed our work in the context of the UN Sustainable our understanding and strategic application of Development Goals (SDGs). We recognise the our focus and refreshed our third objective, ‘ By explicitly considering these goals alongside to promote sustainable impact of our work as a contribution towards global ’ by the protection of the our strategic objectives, we express our continued our vision of sustainability. development progress: a local expression of a worldwide effort. environment through prudent use of resources; commitment to worldwide partnerships that bring In the context of a year like this one, it was vital the relief of poverty and improving quality of life Of the seventeen SDGs, we have identified the us closer to the way of life at the heart of this that Severn Wye reflected on the impact we for the disadvantaged; and achieving sustainable twelve that our activities particularly relate to. global vision of sustainability. make and the purpose that drives us onwards. economic growth and regeneration. Our charitable objectives — the guiding As we observed a sustainability revolution principles that underpin our efforts — remain taking place in 2019-20, we unveiled four new unchanged: strategic objectives that we believe should We still exist for ‘the relief of fuel poverty and guide the work we do now, and for the future: the preservation and protection of health, 1. Energy solutions for sustainability and by promoting the efficient use of energy and wellbeing use of renewable sources of energy.’ But in a year where the Marmot Review of Health Equities 2. Empowering communities demonstrated that fuel poverty is contributing 3. People at the heart of policy towards poorer health outcomes and BEIS reported an alarming drop in energy efficiency 4. Making technology work for people installations, our first charitabile objective feels as

relevant as ever – if not more. Recognising that we are driven by the dual Severn Wye have eight Key Performance Indicators. In a milestone year, renewable energy became purposes of improving quality of life for people, cheaper and generated more than fossil fuels at while promoting sustainable development to CO saved Beneficiaries certain points. Suddenly becoming part of the protect the environment, these four priorities 2 KPI Measuring carbon emissions avoided KPI The number of households, organisations ‘mainstream,’ our second objective of advancing represent the ways in which sustainability may and communities our work has helped education relating to ‘energy conservation, be achieved, while ensuring that people remain Funds levered energy efficiency and the use of renewable Severn Wye’s priority. KPI Increasing the value of our activities by Capital installs sources of energy’ feels especially important for accessing additional support for the user KPI Physical improvements achieved such a time as this. Money saved Capacity tools But it is the changing nature of such issues, KPI Direct financial savings for our beneficiaries KPI Plans and toolkits that empower others to act and the holistic approach needed to Innovation Policy and learning balance environmental, social and economic KPI Measuring new ways of doing things KPI Inputting into policy, studies or consultations

10 11 Sustaining Local authorities have increasingly accepted the link between poor housing and health. If you’ve got a broken boiler and poor warm homes insulation, you’ll only wind up in hospital, so it’s While an urgent The Government’s Clean Growth Strategy aims to better to fix heating or insulation so you can ‘have the 2.5 million fuel poor homes in England stay in homes longer. movement towards improved to energy efficiency rating C or better sustainable energy for all by 2030,’ starting with all rented properties at E by April 2020. We developed a service to help gathers pace, we remain landlords affordably improve their properties to Peter Smith Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. National Energy Action, February 2020 committed to those whose basic health and human As part of our Build to Low Carbon programme, we commissioned researcher Kate de Selincourt needs remain unmet at the to produce the Health Impacts of Home Energy hands of fuel poverty. Interventions research paper, which highlighted not only the impact of cold homes on heart It is impossible to consider a net zero future disease and respiratory illnesses, but also on without first recognising that the homes we live mental illnesses such as dementia and depression. in are inefficient and expensive to heat. At the The clear health impacts of fuel poverty have same time as building plans to reduce carbon led us to deepen our relationship and working emissions in the regions where we work, we must partnership with Public Health authorities, also find ways to meet the needs of over 47,000 particularly the NHS Gloucestershire Clinical households on our doorstep who still cannot Commission Group (CCG), who have contributed afford to simply heat their homes. to the expansion and development of our work.

Severn Wye began working to support fuel A pilot project to insulate park home properties poor households in 2001, and 19 years on our addressed inefficient homes that often fall work is as vital and urgent as ever. outside of traditional support structures, and have disproportionately poor health outcomes. In 2019 we included energy solutions for sustainability and wellbeing as one of our four New partnerships with local support providers in strategic objectives, declaring it our mission to Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire have eliminate fuel poverty and the impacts of cold enabled Severn Wye to deploy home energy homes on health and wellbeing; and to improve advocates within communities and meet the the energy efficiency of buildings, new and old. needs of hard-to-reach residents.

During the year we expanded our fuel poverty As our local authorities navigate the urgent support services into the county of Herefordshire, challenges of meeting the net-zero targets partnering with Herefordshire Council to provide ahead of them, we remain encouraged by their Keep Herefordshire Warm. 12% of households in commitment to meet the very real needs of those the county are considered fuel poor. experiencing fuel poverty here, and now.

12 13 Co-operation and partnership is one of our core ways of working, KPI 3,886 1,1KPI 35 and it is this approach that enables households given energy energy efficiency us to reach those that need efficiency support measures installed support. Our partners at the CCG from 2,210 previous year from 779 previous year noticed a concerning trend in 3,838,86861,11,13535 health data relating to park home householhodsu giseholven denes girgyven energyene rgy eenefficiencyrgy e fficiency 3,886 1,135 residents, allowing us to zero-in houesffieholciencyds gie ffisvuppoenciency enertr gysuppo rt enemeargysu reeffims cineaiencystsallure sd installed and provide additional funding and efrffiomc iency2,210 pf rrseomuppovious 2,210 yreart previous yearmeafroms£2.8mur e779s inprseftviousromalle 779 dyear previousfrom y ear£1.78m support. in grant funding accessed for households from 2,210 previous year from 779 previous year ‘Lifesaver, it’s been an actual lifesaver.’ The park home insulation 3,886 1,1KPI 35 came at just the right time for Mr from £1.78m from £1.78m households£2.8m given ene£2.8mrgy energy efficiency and Mrs P. ‘ Last year we had in£2.8m grant fundingin g raantcce fundingssed forfrom ahocc £1.ue7s8mseholsedd fors households efficiency support measure£s in32stalled9k 53 trips to the hospital with in grant funding accessed for householdssaved from energy bills It’s the good use of partnerships and the good from 2,210 previous year from 779 previous year Mr P’s heart and cancer, and he had just use of data that enable us to meet our goals of savings thado the a NdoubleHS from heart improv bypass.ed heal tBeforeh at hom [thee* reducing fuel poverty across the region. KPI improvements] it was always freezing cold lifetime savings to households from improved energy efficiencyNeil Penny, NHS Gloucestershire CCG in here. He’d be sat there with a coat on, savings to society at large, using BRE calculator* £32£9k329k 17,914t of lifetime savings £2.8ms£aved32 from enesa9kvrgyed bilfromls fenerom £rgy1.78m bills 519t not anymore though.’ in gsrantave dfunding from ene accrgyes sbiledls for households of CO2 emissions reduced with changes savings achieved using Warm Homes Fund central heating installs alone savings to thesavin NHSg fsr omto t heimp NrovHSe fdrom he alimpth ratov ehomd he*alth at home* savings to the NHS from improved health at home* lifetime savinligfse ttimeo ho suavinseholgsd tso f rhoomu simpeholrovdse fdrom ene imprgyr oveffiecdiency energy efficiency KPI lifetime savings to households from improved energy efficiency Our team works on the front line, with by saving people money through simple savings to soscaviniety gats tlao rsgoec, iuestingy at BRE larg cealcula, usingt or*BRE calculator* 17,914t of lifetime s1avings7,914t of lifetime savings savings to society at large, using BRE calculator* some of the most vulnerable households energy saving tips, arranging the free 5519t519t17,914t of lifetime savings of CO2 emissionsof C O2redu emceisdsions with r ecduhangcede swith changes savings achieveds uavingssing W achiarmev Homed eus ingFund W armcent Homral heatinges Fund in csenttallsral alone heating installs alonein the region, and are reminded everyday install of central heating, or by negotiating £329k savings achieved using Warm Homes Fund central heating installs alone of CO2 emissions reduced with changes saved from energy bills of the importance of our work. a debt write-off from an energy company – our support services make a real savings to the NHS from improved health at home* For people in fuel poverty, the difference in people’s lives, and the lifetime savings to households from improved energy eRobfficiency Hargraves pressure of providing for loved ones, : Senior Project impact is threefold 17,914t of lifetime savings savings to society at large, using BRE calculator* whether that is food on the table, or a 519t Manager of CO2 emissions reduced with changes savings achieved using Warm Homes Fund central heating installs alone comfortable and safe environment in • an alleviation of fuel poverty Other3 highlights,886 this year1,13Three5 year impact, 2017-20 which live, is only too real. • an improvement in people’s health outcomes households given energy energy efficiency It makes me proud to know that our Connectinge anffic all-electriciency suppo areart of Cheltenhammeas ures installed dedicated staff will always go above and • and the reduction of carbon to the gas networkfrom 2,210 to pr eaccessvious year free first-timef rom 779 previous year emissions. central heating beyond to help people, whether that is

Working with able-to-pay community groups £2.8m from £1.78m to promote a deepin g retrofitrant funding approach accessed for to ho useholds energy efficiency at home Our primary funders and project partners NHS Gloucestershire CCG Herefordshire Council Citizen’s Advice Collaborating with European partners on Cheltenham Borough Council Interreg CCP ASSIST2gether and£ Build32 to9k Low Carbon fuel saved from energy bills Cotswold District Council EU Horizon 2020 Sirona Care & Health poverty and retrofit programmes savings to the NHS from improved health at home* Forest of Dean District Council Affordable Warmth Solutions Fire & Rescue Services A visit from Ofgem CEO Dermot Nolan to our lifetime savings to households from improved energy efficiency Gloucester City Council Energy Saving Trust Warm Wales 17,914t of lifetime savings savings to society at large, using BRE calculator* innovative Energy5 Advocate19t scheme South Gloucestershire Council Smart Energy UK Wales and West Utilities of CO2 emissions reduced with changes savings achieved using Warm Homes Fund central heating installs alone Stroud District Council Warm Wales Agility ECO Tewkesbury Borough Council Age UK

14 15 While we should celebrate the past, it is important we don’t live in it. We want our Sustainable towns to have great futures. The role and purpose of towns is changing and we must communities support them to reinvent themselves so that they are fit for the 21st Century. It’s easy for ‘sustainable’ As the Welsh Government began to focus on developing the ‘foundational economy’ of the to sound like a synonym for country by investing in local business, Severn Hannah Blythyn AM ‘environmentally friendly.’ Wye were awarded funding in November to Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Oct 2019 develop an innovative approach to ‘anchor But real sustainability is so organisation’ procurement as part of the much broader than that. Foundational Economy Challenge Fund. During a year of such intense focus on At Severn Wye, our definition of sustainability environmental sustainability, our community doesn’t stop with efforts to tackle climate change, expertise continued to thrive in this space, too. fuel poverty or unsustainable energy sources. At the beginning of the year, Welsh Government Ten years ago, we began working to support released their decarbonisation plan, Prosperity communities to become sustainable, through for All: A Low Carbon Wales. This paper holistic, place-based regeneration plans that recognises the link between community help them build on their strengths and culture, sustainability and climate action: ‘Action on creating a lasting, self-sustaining future. climate change can also make a real difference to Our approach is one of ‘co-production’. Rather improve community cohesion, through investing than suggest changes to a town or area, we work in communities in areas such as renewable intimately with communities to identify their energy projects or tree planting, which can have assets, gaps and opportunities, helping them to direct economic benefits back to the community transform their ideas into community-led projects. and or help to reduce risks such as flooding.’

In 2019-20, our Rural Futures programme across With this backdrop, the Anglesey Low Carbon ten Welsh communities went from strength to Happy Homes project, delivered with the strength. We held innovative ‘Story Studios’ with BRO Partnership and funded by Menter Môn, each community, providing space, resources and combined our community development work creative methods for community members to tell with our climate action agenda as communities their story, and that of the place they call home. on the island devised ways to meet challenges with low carbon solutions. We returned to our former Powys home of Llandrindod Wells to begin work on our new As the year drew to a close, Severn Wye were Llandrindod Wells Working Together programme, commissioned to use our co-production supporting families experiencing in-work poverty, approach to explore ways of improving the the subject of a June 2019 IFS report showing a community and visitor experience and economic worrying increase in the proportion of working development in the popular ‘Waterfall Country’ people unable to cover their bills. region of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

16 17 community engagement 246 activities 12

Co-production new local With some aspects of sustainable Families have turned out time 19 partnerships and again to participated communities we formed development, it is more accurate in dozens of community 100 community engagement sessions in to illustrate the depth of impact are invested in engagement Llandrindod Wells. 246 activities achieved, rather than the reach alone.

KPI Severn Wye’s community support

KPI is active nationally across Wales, Asset-mapping 12 Communities work together to indicated by the map opposite. consider the strengths and services already found locally. new local But the true value is the depth to 19 £122k partnerships which we engage with and invest communities we formed funding100 secured for time in individual communities. are invested in communities Our commitment to listen, learn about a place through its people, and forge lasting local partnerships community mean that the work we begin with engagement a community grows organically and activities 24£122k6 lasts long after the funding for our funding secured for support has ended. Be warned, though: there may be communities more assets than you first thought! As one Rural Futures community Creative Story Studios community member put it, “I’ve really Don’t have a community centre? No engagement appreciated the approach taken in problem: Rural Futures will come to you! 246 activities 12 the town - working with the various community new local organisations and institutions, 19 engagement partnerships being thorough, inclusive, listening, communities we activities 246 12 100 formed facilitating discussions, signposting are invested in additional support or funding newKPI local KPI opportunities, assessing and 19 partnerships communities we 100 formed discussing ideas and opportunities, are invested in 12 attending meetings at all times of the day and evening. They’ve been very present, The Rural Futures Mobile Story Studio Other highlightsnew local this year in Esgairgeiliog, North Wales. A little very accessible.” intimate, but a great way to get this rural partnerships 19 community to connect over their future. communities we Rural100 Futures communitiesformed moved into the £122k are invested in next phase: developing grassroots projects funding secured for £122k communities With Llandrindod Wells Working Together, we had the rare benefit of funding to funding secured for work with the community for a year and then additional funding to deliver what was Llandrindod working families decided to communities develop a Baby Bank, Library of Things and important to them for three years. It doesn’t get better than that! Uniform Exchange to help lighten the burden Dave Gittins, Senior Project Manager

Our preliminary report for Waterfall Country recommended a community-led organisation £122k Our primary funders and project partners The Create Your Space programme provides funding secured for National Lottery Community Fund Liz Bickerton virtual cexpertommuni supportties to six community-led environmental projects across Wales Welsh Government Bro Partnership Ystradfellte & Pontneddfechan Community Council CLES Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Menter Môn

18 19 Sustainable organisations

If you were to identify the community halls to sizeable manufacturing I am telling leaders, don’t come to the Summit firms – Target 2020 entered its third year single loudest battlecry offering detailed energy surveys, analysis, with beautiful speeches. Come with concrete from the climate crisis reports and recommendations to reduce plans – clear steps to enhance nationally energy consumption and carbon emissions. For movement of 2019/20, it organisations able to invest, 35% grant funding determined contributions by 2020 – and was to dramatically was available for carbon-saving improvements. strategies for carbon neutrality by 2050. cut carbon emissions. The success of Target 2020 led to Severn Wye’s services being procured to deliver a similar And while Severn Wye and those like us service to SMEs in Herefordshire, as part of Worcestershire County Council’s Business Energy Antonio Guterres have been practically supporting individuals, Efficiency Programme (BEEP). United Nations Secretary-General, September 2019 communities and organisations to do this for twenty years, the language changed this year. As the climate emergency gathered momentum, This was urgent. In February the IPPR Severn Wye experienced increased interest in declared that we were ‘entering an age renewable energy technologies, particularly of environmental breakdown’ and shortly on-site energy generation through solar PV afterwards the Guardian ceased referring to – an indication of the growing appetite for ‘climate change’ and instead to the ‘climate sustainability within industry. crisis.’ We have always recognised that community In May 2019, the Committee on Climate Change organisations can be exemplars and catalysts released their near 300-page proposal, Net for change by making low carbon changes. Zero: The UK’s contribution to stopping global At the beginning of the year, we established warming, which asserted that ‘clear leadership a programme with a consortium of energy is needed, right across Government, with efficiency experts across Wales to help delivery in partnership with businesses and community organisations make energy efficiency communities.’ It recognised that policies to improvements. ensure organisations buy into carbon-reduction strategies have sometimes been successful, other Sustainable Communities Wales has proven to be times not. a great success, with particularly high demand for solar installations. During the year, the National Against this backdrop, Severn Wye has been Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) partnered delivering its flagship ERDF-funded business with the programme to deliver £10,000 top-up energy efficiency programme to Gloucestershire grants to help TNLCF grant-recipients across the SMEs, Target 2020. Serving a wide range of country implement carbon-saving technologies. organisations across the county – from small

20 21 The beauty of the work we do with organisations is that those we work with are from every corner of

KPI society. One day we can be installing LED lighting reports and action in an office block in Tewkesbury, the next we can plans written 195 reports and action be fitting innovative heating technologies into an 195 plans written 118 old Victorian toilet-block-turned-community-hub in 191 191 118 Cardiff. reports and action 0 50 100 150 200 plans written 0 50 100 150 200 1717 The common thread behind all the work we do is 195 reports and action that we help organisations confidently make their plans written £324.6k energy efficiency measures installed 195 Grail Engineering put a large 118organisations advised energy efficiency measures installed first steps into saving energy and £324.6k of which were renewable energy 191 organisations advised 118 solar array on their south- 191 in grant fundingfacing aw roofard ase partd of a huge of which were renewable energy reducing their carbon footprint. energy efficiency drive 0 50 100 150 200 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 0 50 100 150 200 in grspantecialis tfunding feasibility awarded 13,36 £3.1m 4t lif While it is a privilege to offer huge 17studies commissioned lif et reports and action 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 3000003,53 350000et £1.3 im 17 to support community 9t im m e l li ife e fe t t plans written organisations Llandaffim 50+, the Cardiff im grants to install energy efficient specialist feasibility e 195 £324.6k ene2rgy e6fficiency measures inst1all3,e3d6 charitye turning £an3 .abandoned1m organisations advised 4t lif studies commissioned lif Victorian toilet block intoe at of which were renewable energy3,53 et £1.3 im specialist equipment or introduce 118 energy efficiency measures installed 9t im m e £324.6k to support community l net-zero community centreli 191 ife e fe organisations advised in grant funding awarded t t organisations im 919t £i2m 06k renewable on-site generation to 0 50 100 150 200 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000of 35whi0000 ch were renewable energy e 26 e of CO2 reduced annual cost savings specialist feasibility 1 £ a business, there is a story behind 3,31764 3.1m studies commissioned t l lif in grant funding awKPIarded ife KPI et KPI 3 t £ im ,539 im 1.3m to support community t l li e Cotswold Riding for the ife e fe many of the improvements that 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 t t organisations energy efficiency mim easures installed im Disabled saved enough to £324.6k e e organisations advised 26 maintain£2 another06k horse often surprise us. specialist feasibility of which were renewable energy 919t 13,364 £3.1m of CO2 reduced annual cost savings studies commissioned t l life in grant funding awardifed t KPI 3,53 et £1.3 im to support community 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 9t250000 300000im 350000 919tm e £206k At a recent visit to Cheltenham charity Cotswold l li ife e of CO2 reduced fe annual cost savings specialist feasibility t t 13,3 i £3.1 im organisations 64t m m l studies commissioned li ife e Riding for the Disabled, the director remarked fe e ti 3,539 ti £1.3m m 26 to support community t m l e reports and action l i ife e fe t t organisations im im that the annual cost savings achieved from some 26 e 195e plans written simple improvements to the building would pay for 919t919t £206k £206k 118 the upkeep of an additional horse for their clients 191 of CO2 reduced annual cost savings of CO2 reduced annual cost savings to exercise. There’s a human story behind every 0 50 100 150 200 17 energy efficient organisation; and sometimes there is an animal story too!

KPI £324.6kKPI energy efficiency measures installed organisations advised of which were renewable energy in grant funding awarded 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 specialist feasibility I love what I do at Severn Wye because the communities we support across Wales and England programmes for SMEs in England 13,36 £3.1m 4t lif studies commissioned lif et 3 et £ im are so diverse, but what binds each and every one is their desire to enact positive change to ,539 im 1.3m to support community t l li e programmes for community ife e fe t t safeguard their community assets for future generations. We strive to act as a catalyst for this organisations im im 26 organisations in Wales e Other highlightse this year change, by providing advice and support through programmes like Sustainable Communities Target 2020 placed second for Multi Measure Wales. It is so rewarding when we can weld support packages together into an innovative 919t Project£ at2 the06k National Energy Efficiency solution for clients that provides tailored, independent advice with funding to install solutions, of CO2 reduced annual cost savings such as the National Lottery Climate Change Top-up Grants pilot. Awards and Severn Wye won the regional award for Energy Consultant of the Year Owen Callender, Senior Project Manager

500kWp of solar PV installed with ERDF grant funding Our primary funders and project partners Target 2020 was awarded a project extension for a further three years to support another European Regional Development Fund European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 100 SMEs with £730k of grants available Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Robert Owen Community Bank Government DEG SCW overachieved targets for specialist Worcestershire County Council Awel Aman Tawe feasibility studies half way through project Stroud District Council Ecodyfi Welsh Government 22 23 Sustainable technologies

Trees have become the The challenge with most carbon-capture As a species we are expert problem-solvers. technologies is the industrial scale required But we haven’t yet applied ourselves to this go-to method of carbon for them to work effectively. However, one offsetting, but organic of Severn Wye’s strategic objectives is to problem with the focus it requires. make technology work for people – piloting resources have an even sustainable technologies in real-world situations. Movements and ideas can spread at more dynamic role to play Our involvement in the European RE-DIRECT programme has led to the development of a astonishing speed. in the circular economy. pioneer on-farm biomass-to-biochar plant at the community-owned Ffarm Moelcyi near In the midst of such a high-profile climate We can create a world with clean air and Bangor in North Wales. In October 2018, just emergency agenda, it was inevitable that the water, unlimited energy, and food stocks as the programme entered its final year, it was spotlight would eventually land on the significant an encouragement to the team for the IPCC carbon footprint of the agriculture industry. that will sustain us well into the future. to recommend the use of biochar for carbon Cue calls from some camps to drastically change sequestration. But to do that we need a plan. eating habits to reduce our reliance on livestock There are multiple agricultural benefits to farming, and equally vehement calls from the production of biochar – including vastly opposing groups for complex carbon capture improved carbon sequestration when added Sir David Attenborough technologies to be developed instead. to soil, reduced greenhouse gases when January 2019 Meanwhile, Severn Wye have been working added to livestock feed, and sustainable land with partners from across Wales and the management leading to improved biodiversity. European Union to study the feasibility and As such, biochar has the potential to play an potential of increasing carbon capture and important role in helping Wales to hit the targets reducing GHGs using a process to convert set out in the Committee on Climate Change’s organic waste into storable carbon, also Net Zero Report (2019), as well as the Wales known as biochar. Environment Act (2016), the Well-being of Future The potential of biochar as a carbon store Generations Act (2015) and the Climate Change is immense, a fact that is beginning to be Act (2008). recognised more widely. In April, the online In August 2019, the IPCC report Climate Change carbon removal marketplace, Puro, was and Land highlighted the potential of good established, listing biochar sequestration as one land management to simultaneously combat of its three recognised carbon-removal methods.

24 25 3,806

15 3,806 technical reports

climate change, reduce ecological breakdown and building on the insights gained. The THREE-C 960kg increase food security in our changing world. programme will establish carbon hubs across 3,806 15 biomass converted to the continent, promoting the use of biochar in a In this context, Severn Wye began to work on a technical reports biochar (storable carbon) circular carbon economy. In Wales, the hub will specialist study of the Halkyn Uplands in rural focus on using biochar for sustainable agriculture, Flintshire. Looking at the potential of the area to using upland biomass and wastewater treatment use biomass from the native bracken and gorse for byproducts to demonstrate the real-world KPI KPI renewable energy and biomass products in order application of this new ‘black gold.’ 960kg to benefit the local community through intentional biomass converted to land management. Innovative studies into renewable energy biochar (storable carbon) 15 technologies are a vital element to Severn Wye’s At the end of the year, Severn Wye’s research technical reports focus on sustainablility now, and for the future. team began work on the successor to RE-DIRECT,

960kg biomass converted to biochar (storable carbon)

At the BEACON Biorefining Centre of Excellence, RE-DIRECT: Innovative Aberystwyth University pyrolysis and activation plant at Baden-Baden wastewater treatment works, Germany

With Climate Emergencies declared and Net Zero policies in place, we have the exciting opportunity to change the way we do things and to make a positive change for our future. Working in partnership with a wide range of organisations across the EU, we have developed ideas, technologies, processes and products that can lock away carbon, reduce emissions, capture pollution, improve soils, improve biodiversity and replace unsustainable fossil fuels. Over the next few years we will work to put these practices in place, and to contribute towards a more sustainable future.

Dr Rachel Smith, Senior Project Manager

Our primary funders and project partners

EU: Interreg North West Europe Environment Technique Baden- Blended Learning Institutions’ Welsh Government Baden, Germany Cooperative, Germany European Agricultural Fund for Rural Q21, Germany UniLaSalle, France Development Association of Local Initiatives for Bretagne Eco-Entreprises, France Cadwyn Clwyd Energy and Environment, France Gemeente Apeldoorn, Netherlands Flintshire County Council Kerval Centre Armor, France BUPNET, Germany Institute of Biological, Environmental Irish Bioenergy Association, Ireland Anthropia, Germany & Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth Pro Natura, Belgium University, Wales Western Development Commission, Cwm Harry, Wales Ireland University of Kassel, Germany Trendhuis, Belgium

26 27 Everybody says that making sacrifices for Sustainability the survival of the biosphere – and to secure the living conditions for future and present generations – is an impossible thing to do. education You must do the impossible. As an educational This was a year where young people seized the hearts, minds and attention of the world Greta Thunberg charity, engaging, — proving that they are not just our future’s September 2019, addressing US Congress training and inspiring people: they are our future’s leaders. future generations has Severn Wye has seen demand increasing again from communities, schools and families to always been a core provide guidance on how to take action. We activity for Severn Wye. are keen to seize this moment to innovate new education programmes that equip students to Our Young Energy People (YEP!) programme take action now, and for the future. We recognise won the coveted Ashden Awards, and Your that in 2020-21, this may need to take new and Green Future (YGF) was an innovative way different forms. Exploring the opportunities for businesses and schools to consider what offered by online learning platforms, digital the future looks like, together. Between 2018 connectivity and modular formats may play as and 2020 we expanded these projects into important a role as face-to-face engagement. one unique package for secondary schools; Whatever the future holds for younger combining the in-school energy champions generations, it will undoubtedly be shaped approach of YEP! (school surveys, training and by the way we respond to this climate crisis. energy saving) with our green-skills and careers’ It is this generation’s responsibility to give future fair of YGF to create Our Future’s People (OFP). generations the tools they need to face this OFP worked with nine schools across Powys, uncertainty. Severn Wye stands ready to support saving the schools £38k in energy bills, reducing the education sector to meet this responsibility CO emissions by 152 tonnes, and winning the 2 head-on. Sustainable Academy Award for Sustainable Education or Training.

As Our Future’s People draws to a close, public awareness of climate change is at an all-time high. What’s more, school students have been at the forefront of a global movement, with the September School Strike for Climate Change becoming a global phenomenon, and Greta Thunberg being named ‘Person of the Year’ by TIME Magazine.

Our Future’s People wins Sustainable Education or Training of the year at the 28 Sustainable Academy Awards 29 We’re here because we’re a generation with a loud voice who isn’t just going to stand and take what they’ve given us, which is not sustainable. We’re not the same. We’re here to make a difference.

9 4,554 156 Isabel, age 15 SCHOOLS STUDENTS INVOLVED STUDENTS ON ENERGY participating in the September 2019 School Strike for Climate MANAGEMENT TEAMS

STUDENT MOTIVATIONS STUDENT BENEFITS

10 0 %

91%

81%

PERSONAL OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL TEAMWORK LITERACY INTERVIEW DEVELOPMENT IMPACT SKILLS

£37,826 saved 152 t

369K KWH SAVED

2 G .7 % IN AV. G A S S AV 1 G 0. 2 V IN % A S A CO2 saved V. EL EC T R ICI T Y 0 £2000 £4000 £6000 £8000 £10000

30 31 Financial summary Leading by example £2.6 £.33 £2.5 m m k 2 2 20 0 0 9 9 9

£2.6 £2.6 £.33£2.6 £.33 £2.5 £.33 £2.5 £2.5 m m m m m k 2 m k 2 k 2 2 2 20 2 20 0 20 0 0 This year it felt particularly important to put our 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 income9 £3.19m money where£1.62m our mouths are,£38k and record our own195 income income £3.19mincome £3.19m£1.62m£3.19m£1.62m£38k£1.62m £38k 195£38k 19512 from195 previous year 22 from previous year previous year 12 from previous year 12 from previous year 22 from12 fromprevious previous year year 22 from previous year previous22 from year previous year previous year previous year organisational progress.

total income total incomeof whichtotal are income grantsof which are grantsof whichsurplus are grantssurplus surplus total income Diversityof and which Inclusion are grants Climate Actionsurplus For the first time we have adopted a Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion is at the As an Energy Agency, the Perhaps the more interesting story is how our Development Policy and Here’s how we’re funded heart of the tenth Sustainable urgency to tackle climate funding is spent. Procedure, formed by 5 grant making 5 grant making 5 grant making Development Goal to Reduce change is in our DNA! Since 20 sustainable communities20 sustainableto communities deliver20 sustainable communities good things to expanding our Environmental 5 sustaining warm homes5 sustaining warm homes5 sustaining warm homes £2. £.3 £2. Inequalities. our creation we have supported sustainable organisations sustainable organisations sustainable organisations 6m 3m 5k Policy using Sustainable 2 2 £1.62m£1.62m20 £1.62m 0 5 grant making 0 3 sustainable technologies3 sustainable technologies3 thosesustainable technologies we support. and encouraged low-carbon to individuals to orgs to individuals to orgs to individuals to orgs 2 admin costs 2 admin costs 2 admin costs Development principles. 20 sustainable communities We really9 want to engage, 9 9 education education education in grant funding awardedin grant funding inawarded grant funding awarded travel within our travel policy. 5 sustaining warm homes involve and reach as many Next steps are to baseline Severn Wye isn’t your typical0 500000 charity.10000000 We1500000 aren’t500000 2000000 10000000 1500000500000 20000001000000 1500000 2000000 sustainable organisations We installed PV on our offices an organisation that typically operates by raising people£1.62m as possible, especially our current performance, 3 sustainable technologies 195many years ago and have income money from a private donor£3.19m base, or holds £1.62m £38kthose who may struggleto individuals to to orgs particularly our carbon 2 admin costs 12 from previous year 22 from previous year previous year always prioritised local, organic , so that going forward fundraising campaigns. In the main, public sector education engagein grant with funding typical support awarded footprint and environmentally-aware we can more visibly plan and authorities and grant-making bodies commission channels.0 It’s500000 also important1000000 1500000to 2000000 procurement of our materials, report on our progress towards us to meet specific sustainability needs: whether One of our greatest privileges is being able to us that we provide a working consumables, food and activities. net carbon zero. at an individual, community or commercial level. distribute grant funding to those that need it culture and environment But this year we recognised most. 51% of our income goes directly to benefit that actively attracts a wider that much of this activity we do One way we invested into Our projects and activitiestotal are made income possible of which are grants surplus and works those we support by way of grant funding. In range of applicants not track – a vital tool for us to becoming net carbon zero by a range of funders, from small local Trusts towards our ambition to create 2019-20, we were able to distribute £1.6m in measure our own progress. is through funding, through to large structural programmes at the European a more diverse organisation that grants to individuals and organisations via our investing our surplus reserves Commission – and everything in between. better reflects the society in In 2019-20, we dedicated fuel poverty, low carbon innovation installed EV to enable and progress our Third sector Other which we work. at our Highnam offices, and community development programmes. charging work on biochar. Recognised Private sector and are reviewing options for 5 grant making UK local authorities As part of our EU-funded as a potential mechanism for electric fleet vehicles to reduce £2.6 £.33 £2.5 20 sustainable communities m m k 2 carbon trading (due to the 2 20 0 ASSIST2gether project, we 0 the point-of-use carbon footprint 9 5 sustaining warm homes 9 9 created an advisory group of carbon sequestration and long- European Union of our travel requirements. sustainable organisations term capture benefits of biochar) income £3.19m£1.62m£1.62m £38k people who have195 experienced COVID-19 presented us with 3 sustainable technologies 12 from previous year 22 from previous year previous year first-hand to help in addition to the environmental to individuals to orgs fuel poverty the unexpected opportunity 2 admin costs us improve our marketing, protection benefits it can offer, to increase remote working – education in grant funding awarded approach to delivery and to biochar could offer a valid Other UK public which has worked well for many sector e.g. Lottery 0 500000 1000000 1500000 2000000 train local ambassadors. We option for carbon offsetting in of our staff and we expect to totalThe income modest surplus recordedof which this are yeargrants tripled surplus situations where achieving net partnered with organisations encourage as a carbon-saving the surplus achieved in 2018-19, demonstrating carbon zero will be otherwise During 2019-20, our income came predominantly that represent disability working option in future. Our that our consolidation work has created , training and supporting impossible. Our work to research from public sector funders, 76% of which are groups desire to reduce on-site energy lasting stability. As ever, our surplus provides them, while inviting them to and develop industry standards based in the UK. Our relationship with5 Europeangrant making consumption at our offices led a contribution to Severn Wye’s reserves, which shape our future materials and for biochar is at the forefront of partners remains a strong20 sustainable priority. communities But with Brexit to a timely investment in our 5 sustaining warm homes are in turn used to run pilot projects, invest in communications. creating an environmentally and looming, we have reduced our reliance on EU sustainable organisations infrastructure and£1.62m mitigate against risk. IT systems, moving them into economically sustainable market 3 sustainable technologies funding to 17% - down from 36% in 2018-19. to individuals to orgs and enabling us to be 2 admin costs the cloud for activated carbon products. education in grant funding awarded remote-ready at the turn of 2020.

0 500000 1000000 1500000 2000000 32 33 As for the future...

“The only constant most vulnerable. The way we work may change forever. Our economies may be altered beyond in life is change.” recognition. These changes may bring challenges to how Severn Wye delivers projects, to how There’s good reason why Heraclitus’ quote activities are funded and to what sustainability persists to this day. For Severn Wye, the issues are prioritised. game changed for the better in 2019-20, with the emergence of a worldwide sustainability But coronavirus may also offer new opportunities. movement. But changes remain afoot that It may give us pause to consider how our remind us to continue to adapt and evolve what economies function. Severn Wye will be at the we do. heart of a drive to promote greener businesses, develop more sustainable local strategies, The next twelve months the funding landscape research and pilot new technologies and will change significantly with the end of the champion the foundational economy. We will use Brexit transition period. We recognise that our the close relationships we have with communities relationship with our European partners will be to meet their new immediate and long-term different, and our freedom to deliver EU-funded needs. Severn Wye will advocate for those in fuel programmes will alter. To continue achieving poverty at greater risk than ever of ill-health, and this level of impact, Severn Wye must be will innovate new ways of meeting their basic prepared to seize new opportunities and needs. explore new funding streams. As much as Severn Wye stand ready to During this unique year, groups from all sectors face the immediate challenges posed by made ambitious commitments towards achieving coronavirus, we are also poised to use this ‘net zero,’ many by 2030. In the coming year, ‘anthropause’ to hasten our journey towards Severn Wye will work to support those goals with net zero, and a sustainable, more equal technical expertise, community engagement society. skills and a commitment to making sure policies and pilots consider the wellbeing of people now, and for the future.

At the very end of 2019-20, the world began to face the threat of a global pandemic. COVID-19 promises unprecedented challenges for all areas of society –­ particularly affecting the

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