Our MD Martin Valentine was one of the speakers at 'Our Zero Carbon Reality' held in Matlock in November.

This was the first in a series of workshops hosted by Derbyshire Climate Coalition to support Derbyshire's communities and councils in developing and implementing the evidence-based carbon reduction targets needed for effective local climate plans and to achieve a zero carbon society.

The event brought together experts and examples of best practice with councillors, council officers and grassroots groups.

Martin said: "Our homes are in the top 1% in the country for energy efficiency - but even that might not be good enough by 2025. The Government is proposing a new Future Homes Standard, that will dramatically increase the energy efficiency requirements of new houses.

"My take on it is that the new rules - if they actually come into force - will effectively drive the big developers out of business unless they serious change how they do things. And that's exactly the kind of pressure we need to apply if we are going to be a zero carbon country quickly enough.

"I was delighted to be asked to speak to such a well-informed and interested group of people, from all walks of life from all parts of Derbyshire."

Watch the presentations here

Read a summary of the key points from the speakers, the Q&A session and the workshop outcomes.

First housing, then transport

This was the first in a series of zero carbon workshops designed to bring experts together with councillors, officers and the public to explore what are the most effective actions to achieve the radical reduction in carbon needed. We hope to run a similar workshop on transport in the spring.

In the meantime please keep in touch if you have any further suggestions or ideas that can help.

Working on climate action in Derbyshire?

If you'd like to find out more about the work of Derbyshire Climate Coalition, head over to our website - or come along to our next meeting on Wednesday 22nd January 2020, at the Remarkable Hare, Matlock.