Going green generates £500k

GOING GREEN has generated half a million pounds for the Camphill Community in Glencraig, near Hollywood.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock has announced that Camphill is one of 12 communities from across the UK to be awarded £500,000 through the government´s Low Carbon Community Challenge.

The £10m research project aims to transform the way we use and produce energy in a bid to cut carbon emissions and reach the UK carbon reduction targets of 80% by 2050.

"This sort of action is vital because over a quarter of the UK´s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in our homes. By 2050 this needs to be almost zero and we can only achieve that through the creative initiative of local communities," said Joan.

The grant money will help kickstart plans by Glencraig to install a new wood burning biomass heating system, which will use a variety of green material such as hedge clippings, woodchippings and bark to provide heat for its 180 residents and staff.

Eventually the team also hope to provide heating for the surrounding area, and are currently negotiating with neighbouring Rockport School and Royal Belfast Golf Club.