2010 is an auspicious year for the West Wales ECO Centre. This year marks its 30th anniversary, having been established in 1980 as the Newport and Nevern Energy Group.  

It is also celebrating because,  after a very difficult 2009, with funding problems causing staff cuts, it has been awarded funding from a number of different sources to support its work.  Despite difficulties last year, the ECO Centre has maintained its momentum in developing and delivering projects which help people and communities to reduce their carbon footprint, their contribution to the causes of climate change and to increase their knowledge of the issues of sustainable development.  Funding this year has come from the Big Lottery Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, ScottishPower Energy People Trust and the European Union INTERREG IV C fund.

Trustee and original founder of the organisation, Dr. Brian John said “We started a voluntary group that met an immediate local need, providing energy saving advice and insulation to help people stay warmer, save money and rely less on fossil fuel or nuclear power. That the group I started with local volunteers 30 years ago is still here and working at the sharp end of this and other energy related issues, shows how important such services and organisations like the ECO Centre are. It is incredible also that we haven’t shifted our position in all that time, and yet here we are in the mainstream. National, regional and local government are all having to deal with the problems caused by climate change and our over reliance on fossil fuels; the impacts of peak oil and the need live and work sustainably in the future”.

 

Here are some photographs of key events in that time:

 

 

 

 

Since it celebrated its 25th anniversary the ECO Centre has brought over £2 million into the local economy through funding for its activities. Its staff have spoken to and advised or referred about 150,000 people. This indicates potential lifetime carbon savings of over 100,000 tC in that period.

Renewable energy projects have supported dozens of community groups across Pembrokeshire leading to some pioneering projects and enterprises.

  

Other projects and activities in the last five years include: supporting Pembrokeshire County Council’s compost scheme; recycling days and road shows around the county;  management of a pilot project to support conversions of engines to run on vegetable oil; Climate Change Wales education programme, ClimArt education programme; renewable energy advice service; research and materials for the Welsh Assembly Government climate change programme and education fro sustainable development and global citizenship (ESDGC); Wales’ first international conference on the Feed-in Tariff; People’s Power Station community renewable energy programme; energy saving programmes across Wales with various local authorities; community energy assessments in North Wales; fuel poverty projects; and pan-European partnerships looking at good practise in renewable energy.  Last year the ECO Centre became  a core partner in the Environment Wales initiative, supporting environmental groups in Wales to develop and deliver local projects.

Jake Hollyfield, Director, said “The ECO Centre has been consistently ahead of the curve on action to stimulate low carbon behaviour; integrating the teaching of difficult concepts; supporting communities with the development of renewables. We rely heavily on external funding and whilst it is a challenge to raise as much as we need or would like, we are very grateful to all the organisations that have supported our activities. Locally this includes Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and TYF Ltd. Elsewhere in Wales Ceredigion, Powys, Flintshire and Gwynedd county councils have continued to support us as we assist them with many of their domestic energy related targets. Environment Wales was instrumental in the ECO Centre’s earliest days as a more formal organisation and continues to play a significant part now. We are pleased to be able to provide something  back as we now form part of the Environment Wales partnership. Charitable trusts such as the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Ernest Cook Trust and the Reta Lila Howard foundation have provided very valuable support, especially in the absence of any other funding for much needed work in key sectors, such as education and communities. And now we are funded by the Big Lottery to provide an urgently needed home visits service for people at risk of fuel poverty”.

There will be a couple of events celebrating the ECO Centre’s 30th anniversary, including an audience with some of Wales’ leading environmental figures as they discuss the progress and the future of Wales as its struggles to set tough targets for climate change mitigation. This will take place alongside a major international seminar and study visit organised by the ECO Centre in July.

“2010 will continue to be a significant year for us as we adapt to changing circumstances. There is a

huge growth in grass roots community groups looking for support to develop their projects. There is much more central funding available to support community scale technologies. And the ECO Centre through the expertise and experience gathered over the last 30 years is in an ideal position to help these groups” said Jake Hollyfield. “We will endeavour to maintain our position as one of Wale’s leading energy and environment organisations. We have been recognised nationally and locally for the quality of our work in a number of areas, And it is my intention that this will continue for the next 30 years”.