Perceval House, Ealing council’s largest source of emissions and is in need of an energy efficiency upgrades. Ealing Council has secured £3.9 million in government-backed funding to help reduce energy use and carbon emissions, with a major focus on decarbonising. More than two-thirds of this funding, £2.6 million, will be spent on upgrading Perceval House. The additional £1.3 million will go toward upgrades at Mandeville, John Perryn and Drayton Green primary schools in Ealing. This funding is part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix.
The work on Percival House includes replacing outdated gas boilers with an air source heat pump, fitting solar panels on the roof and preparing the site for potential connection to a future heat network. Once complete in 2027, the improvements are expected to cut 273 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This is the equivalent of removing 256 cars from the M25 and saving over £1 million in future maintenance.
This initiative is a key step in Ealing’s councils goal for Ealing to reach net zero by 2030. Council Leader Peter Mason said: “Tackling the climate crisis is our top priority for the borough and this significant cash injection will go a long way in helping us reduce the council’s carbon emissions, Climate action just makes sense, as we’re also reducing our energy use and local air pollution.”
What is net zero and why is it important?
There is a lot of talk on net zero and we should all be aiming for it, but why? Net zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This main way to do this is to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the first place. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. CO2 is released when oil, gas and coal are burned in homes, factories and to power transport. Methane is produced through farming and landfill, as well as other sources. These gases increase global temperatures by trapping extra energy in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, nearly 200 countries agreed to try to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C by 2100. To achieve this, CO2 emissions need to fall by nearly half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, according to the UN’s climate body, the IPCC. For more infomation, go to BBC What is climate change? A really simple guide
Meanwhile, rapid deforestation across the world means there are fewer trees to absorb CO2. So tree planting programs are important and in Ealing there are Tiny Forests popping up, find out more Learn to Monitor Biodiversity in Tiny Forests. You can also join Ealing’s Tree Watering Champions for Local Trees.
What can we, as individuals for energy efficiency upgrades?
As a resident of Ealing there is free energy efficiency and saving advice available, see Save money with health homes:
- Healthy Homes Hotline Ealing who provide advice on domestic energy. For example understanding fuel bills, how to save energy and how to switch suppliers. Plus national and local grant initiatives that are available to homes. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Call 0800 083 2265 (free from landline and mobiles).
- Green Doctor Home Visit: Eligible households can have a home visit from a Green Doctor who is a qualified energy advisor. Green Doctors can offer advice on staying warm in winter and cool in summer. They can refer you to available grant programmes for works, or assisting in help with tariff switching, managing arrears, or making referrals to other agencies. To find out more and access the service, residents can phone 0800 083 2265. This is free from landline and mobiles for Ealing residents. Or fill this online form.
The Energy Savings trust also offer more tips here
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/top-tips-to-reduce-your-carbon-emissions/
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