Reading climate festival begins
Special focus on energy saving this year to combat high fuel costs
Last updated 23rd Sep 2022
Reading Climate Festival has revamped its content this year to place greater emphasis on low-cost and no-cost energy efficiency measures that can help offset the rapidly rising cost of fuel.
Tracey Rawling Church, co-chair of Reading Climate Change Partnership and curator of Reading Climate Festival explains:
“We have long recognised that many of the actions that fight climate change can also bring important co-benefits such as lower fuel bills, money saved through reduced food waste, health improvements through cleaner air and so on, but with the cost of energy escalating at such an alarming rate it makes sense to concentrate on the area of most concern.
"Over the course of the Climate Festival we’re running more sessions than ever that inform people about what they can do to keep their homes warm in winter without spending a fortune on fuel, and at least half of the sessions will provide no-cost tips or information about how to access grants for energy efficiency upgrades.
"Most of the content is aimed at individuals but we’ll also have sessions for businesses and other organisations that are worried about escalating energy costs. This is one area where low-carbon options are able to make a real difference to quality of life, and we’re keen to make sure as many people as possible are informed about what they can do to cut their bills.”
All the events take place online and are provided free of charge, with registration via Eventbrite. The sessions already scheduled that focus on energy efficiency are as follows:
• Draughtbusters – quick and simple ways to reduce energy use this winter, ideal for all householders
• Sustainable Warmth – how to access government funding on energy efficiency measures, particularly helpful for those experiencing fuel poverty.
• Reducing Energy Bills by Creating Warmer Homes – how to ensure a warmer, more comfortable home that costs less to run
• Converting Heating Systems to Heat Pumps – for those considering how to upgrade their heating to a lower-carbon alternative
• Low-Carbon Workspaces – especially for small to medium-sized businesses about how to access government grants for decarbonization measures that can cut energy bills
All the events will be delivered by expert speakers and will offer time for Q&A. They will also be recorded so that videos can be published for on-demand viewing after the festival. The festival runs from 24th September to 4th October; new events are being listed daily and the entire festival programme can be accessed at http://www.readingcan.org.uk/festival.
Reading Climate Festival is run on a not-for-profit basis by a team of volunteers on behalf of Reading Climate Change Partnership, the multi-stakeholder voluntary group which is responsible for Reading’s Climate Emergency Strategy.