Since its formation in 1980 West Wales Energy Group (now the Eco Centre) has consistently promoted the idea of sustainable development. The Centre has always believed that the nation must reduce its energy demand (and not simply strive for "energy efficiency"); that it must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power; and that renewable energy use must be substantially expanded as part of a "technology substitution" strategy.  More recently a broader definition of sustainable development has been adopted in line with the Rio Earth Summit and the policies of the Welsh Assembly.  This definition of sustainability includes social, environmental and economic development in an equitable manner which allows the needs of the present generation to be met without compromising  the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  In the new century, the emerging consensus on the man-made  origins of global warming as the biggest single problem  facing the planet reinforces our long-held beliefs related to energy.  A range of other policy commitments flows from this set of core beliefs.

1. Energy Conservation.   
It is WWEC policy to encourage energy conservation and increased energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy.   The ECO Centre believes that the UK must strive to reduce its overall energy demand on a year-by-year basis,  so that there is at least a 30% fall in energy demand by the year 2020 AD.  The ECO Centre will support existing government and local authority measures which will help  to achieve this objective, while continuing to press for more ambitious targets than those currently set.

2. Fuel Poverty.  
The ECO  Centre, as indicated in its Articles of Association,  will strive, through practical measures and advice especially to the disadvantaged members of our community, to eliminate fuel poverty from Wales.

3. Fossil-fuelled Power Stations. 
WWEC is opposed to any extension of fossil-fuelled power station capacity unless it involves clean-burn technologies which will displace old and highly-polluting technologies The ECO Centre is mindful that even clean-burn technologies with full  FGD will add to the global CO2 load and will hinder the UK attempts to reach the CO2 reduction targets set at the Rio Earth Summit. Furthermore, continued reliance on these fossil fuels could unacceptably delay the development of renewable technologies and the reduction of energy demand.  If fossil fuels have to be burned,  WWEC will prefer to see combined cycle gas turbines employed in small and flexible power stations (preferably no larger than 500 MW) burning natural gas, rather than the burning of coal or oil.  Wherever possible, WWEC will support the use of the CHP option in view of its very high efficiency.

4. Nuclear Power Stations.   
The ECO Centre is totally opposed to any further construction of nuclear power stations in the UK, on the grounds that the current technology is highly dangerous, highly expensive, and involves unacceptable risks at all stages of the fuel cycle.  The Centre will press for the decommissioning of existing nuclear stations at the earliest possible date,  and will press for the complete removal of all radioactive materials from nuclear power station sites within ten years of station shut-down.  The Centre believes that the nuclear industry must bear full responsibility for the safe removal of all radioactive waste materials, and must itself budget for and meet the full costs.

5. Radioactive Wastes.  
WWEC is opposed to the transport of radioactive materials into Wales, and will  oppose  plans for radioactive waste storage,  disposal or reprocessing anywhere in Wales   The Centre is also opposed to the seaborne transport of plutonium and other radioactive materials.

6. Oil and Gas Drilling.  
The ECO Centre recognises that hydrocarbon fuels will be needed for many decades to come.  However,  the use of liquid fuels in transport must be dramatically reduced if  greenhouse gas and other polluting emissions are to be reduced.  In addition, there is a powerful case for the conservation of UK hydrocarbon reserves for use as chemical feedstock by future generations.  The Centre will oppose any oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Wales (especially at sites within 80 km of the shoreline)  in view of the great ecological sensitivity of the area.  The Centre will also oppose the maritime disposal of redundant oil and gas drilling rigs, production platforms or other structures.

7. Renewable Energy.   
The Centre will support a wide range of renewable energy developments in Wales on the grounds that they are non-polluting and energy-efficient,  will substitute fossil-fuelled and nuclear plant,  will enable a degree of energy self-sufficiency in rural communities, and will also enhance security of supply.  These technologies include wind power, solar energy, hydro power, wave and tidal power, and energy from biomass.  Some, but not all, will be used for the generation of electricity.  It is recognised that these technologies will be widely dispersed across the countryside, and will normally be small in scale and low in "energy intensity" compared with fossil-fuelled generating plant.  While remaining realistic about the environmental impacts of these technologies,  the Centre will seek to inform the public as to the overall environmental benefits which will flow from  greatly increased renewable energy use.

8. Wind Energy Developments.  
The Centre will support windfarm, wind cluster and single wind turbine developments  so long as it is satisfied that the environmental impacts are acceptable.  The Centre does not wish to see windfarms in  National Parks or in other designated areas, but would not necessarily oppose smaller developments in these areas.   By and large, the Centre will prefer small and
community-based projects  involving less than 10 wind turbines.  The Centre will seek to influence government and local authority policies so as to encourage a greatly expanded use of wind power in Wales.

9. Fuel for Heating.  
WWEC is aware that the use of electricity for heating purposes derived from "conventional" power stations is highly inefficient in energy terms.  It will therefore seek to encourage the use of  gas-fired and  other fuel-burning  systems for heating purposes and to discourage the installation of new electric-based heating systems.  The Centre will encourage the use of micro-CHP where
possible. The Centre however recognises that electricity is highly convenient for lighting,  telecommunications and the operation of domestic and commercial appliances.

10. Energy Budgets and 'Lifetime Costs". 
The ECO Centre will  encourage the assessment of energy technologies  not on the basis of their "apparent" or "conventional" costs but on the basis of their full costs to society, including the full energy costs of plant production,  the costs of fuel winning and transport, the pollution costs of fuel burning, health costs, waste handling and disposal costs, decommissioning costs, site restoration costs etc.   In general, renewable technologies will be supported because of their very positive energy budgets,  whereas fossil fuelled plant and nuclear plant will be opposed because  those who build them have never yet been asked to pay the full costs.  The Centre will seek a fuller application of the "polluter pays" principle, and will therefore support the principle of a carbon tax, provided that the revenue raised is invested in energy conservation measures.  The Centre will also support the concept of "green electricity tariffs."

11. Energy in Rural Communities.   
In the view of the Centre the existing dispersed pattern of settlement  throughout the Welsh countryside provides opportunities for the small-scale use of renewable energy resources,  as well as minimising the problems of urban life and helping to sustain a vibrant and varied rural economy.

12.  Energy Aspects of Development. 
WWEC believes that all new development, and the refurbishment and modification of existing development, should be to the highest energy efficiency standards. Within planning guidelines, the Centre will also support experimental and demonstration "low impact" housing developments designed to promote the principles of sustainable living.

12. Waste  Recycling Policy. 
The ECO Centre will encourage the practice of waste reduction, re-use and recycling amongst householders, businesses, local authorities and other organizations.  The Centre will also support the use of waste as fuel, so long as the benefits clearly outweigh the environmental impacts.

13. Agricultural Policy. 
The Centre discourages over-intensive agricultural systems which negate energy conservation, and supports self-sustaining methods including organic farming.  The Centre will oppose the growing of GM crops and the production of GM foods since both are associated with high-input and centralized agricultural systems.   The Centre supports the diversification of the farming
economy away from food production, and encourages the growing of energy crops and the production of energy from biomass sources.

14. Transport Policy. 
The Centre will support a substantial increase in the use of the public transport network (especially involving integrated railway and bus use) and will work for a reduction in private car use.  The Centre will oppose road schemes based upon an assumption of  future expanded road traffic.  In general, the Centre will not support major road projects (eg bypass schemes) unless it can be demonstrated  that these will improve  both the environment and the quality of life of local people.  The Centre will encourage an expansion of walking, cycling and lift-sharing schemes. The Centre supports technical advances in fuel efficiency and the expanded use of "green" fuels.

15. Sewage Disposal Policy.  
WWEC supports the use of sewage as a source of energy.  The Centre will press for the installation of full tertiary treatment to sewage discharges to the marine and aquatic environments.

16. Ethical Policy and Sponsorship.  
The ECO Centre will avoid sponsorship and other arrangements with companies which persistently deny the reality of man-induced accelerated climate change; which are heavily involved in the nuclear power industry;  which generate significant turnover from alcohol or tobacco; which are involved in the arms trade or which export goods or services for military users; which supply ozone depleting  chemicals or other major pollutants; which test cosmetics or toiletries on animals;  which promote trans-species genetic modification of food crops and other organisms; which use battery farming and other intensive farming methods; which extract or import tropical hardwoods; which trade in prohibited pesticides or herbicides; which exploit fossil fuels to significantly pollute waterways, the sea or the atmosphere; or which have subsidiary companies working with regimes which violate human rights.  The Centre may only vary this principle where it believes that it has a significant chance of affecting change in a company's attitudes and behaviour, or where a company is actively involved in the development and promotion of renewable technologies.

Policy Statements approved by a Special General Meeting of the WWEG membership on 8 June 1995.  Revised by Board of Trustees, 30th June 1997, 27th November 2000, and 24th April 2006.   The Board  welcomes  suggestions from WWEC members for further policy commitments in areas relating to energy conservation and energy use.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES APPLICABLE TO ECO CENTRE AND PROJECTS

Wider Policies

1.   The Eco Centre will aspire to the highest standards of environmental awareness and internal practice, and will seek recognition and accreditation in these areas as appropriate.

2.  WWEC  will support organizations and companies which operate in an environmentally sensitive manner and which have clearly defined policies on energy conservation, sustainable development, ethical investments etc.

3.   WWEC  may campaign against companies and organizations which are responsible for the wasteful use of energy resources, environmental degradation, exploitation of  underprivileged groups,  or the support of oppressive regimes.

4.   WWEC  will seek to promote the ideas of energy conservation, renewable energy use, sustainability,  recycling, and minimisation of waste;   and will seek to minimise and even eliminate fuel poverty from Wales.

Specific (Internal) Policies

5.   WWEC  will seek to use natural products from sustainable sources so far as possible in its day-to-day work.

6.   WWEC  will  use  recycled paper products whenever possible, in preference to high-quality bleached paper made from chemical pulp.

7.   WWEC  will use timber products from local sustainable softwood forests where possible.  Hardwood products from tropical sources will not be used where substitutes can be found from UK sustainable hardwood sources.

8.   WWEC  will minimise the creation of waste within the Eco House and LEEAC offices, and will re-use all office products in preference to throwing them away.

9.   WWEC  will encourage re-use of containers  (rather than recycling techniques involving collection, destruction and re-constitution).  For example, it will campaign for the re-use of bottles and other containers.

10.   WWEC  will encourage  the extension of recycling policies and facilities on the part of local companies and local authorities.  It will also provide practical support for local authority initiatives designed to minimise waste.

11.   WWEC will seek to make optimal use of computing and other electronic facilities in preference to making additional capital investments.  Where possible, it will also pass on redundant equipment for use by other charities.

12.   WWEC  will re-use envelopes, packing materials, carrier bags etc. wherever possible, and will encourage others in the community to do the same.  Staff will investigate the potential for "community recycling" and materials exchange schemes in its areas of interest.

13.   Where possible, local suppliers will be used, and local tradesmen will be employed for work in the Eco House and its offices in Wales.

14.   WWEC  members and staff will seek to extend the public transport network where possible, and will use public transport when feasible and cost-effective.   Car-sharing will be a priority, and cycling will be encouraged for short journeys.

15.   WWEC  will monitor office energy use very carefully and staff will seek to make the Eco House and its offices showpieces of careful energy management.

16.   Staff will seek to make the Eco House a net exporter of electricity into the grid.

17.   In all its activities, WWEC will be mindful of  "energy budgets" as well as market prices in making purchasing decisions.

18.  WWEC will press local authorities and local companies to employ "energy budgeting" techniques, and to utilise renewable energy and green tariffs where possible.

Adopted by Board of Trustees on 30th June 1997 and confirmed 24th 
April 2006