Going for growth and acting with urgency

The transition to a low carbon future is underway across the UK. Last year, we saw more energy on the grid coming from renewables, an increase in solar and heat pump installations, and greater investment in electric vehicles. 

In the wake of the energy crisis, people are realising the benefits of reducing carbon emissions. For governments, energy efficiency and renewable energy have the power to boost the economy and strengthen energy security. For businesses, renters and homeowners they promise to bring down eye-wateringly high bills. And for all of us, they’re a crucial opportunity to play our part in addressing the climate emergency.   

Our energy efficiency projects are changing more lives than ever, giving people in the most vulnerable situations warmer homes and money in their pockets.   

But a lack of access to personalised energy efficiency advice and support in parts of the UK is holding back millions of households and slowing the UK’s transition to clean energy. So, as well as delivering several home energy efficiency advice schemes for major local authorities, we’re advocating for new national advice services in England and Northern Ireland.  

Businesses, too, face significant obstacles. They know saving energy could cut their costs, but don’t know how to apply cost effective net zero strategies. That’s why our support is so essential.    

We helped SMEs access £5.5 million in interest-free loans and £2.4 million in cashback grants to fund energy efficiency improvements.   

In 2023/24, we again demonstrated our ability to effectively deliver large-scale projects. For example, we managed £57 million in UK Government funding for electric vehicle infrastructure through the LEVI project and made 91 grants totaling £34 million in our management of Ofgem’s Energy Redress Scheme.  

Through accessible online tools we can support more people more efficiently and achieve greater impact. We’re embracing emerging technology and developing innovative digital products that draw on our knowledge and data to offer tailored information and advice to customers.  

Last year, the political consensus on the need for net zero by 2050 seemed close to collapse. But since the 2024 general election, the new UK Government’s ambitions have changed the landscape and created exciting new opportunities. However, we’re more aware than ever that we can’t be complacent – we must keep making the case for reducing emissions.   

We’re committed to leading the way in implementing a robust and effective net zero strategy for ourselves. As well as carbon reduction measures across our operations, we offer our staff electric vehicle loans and other support for low carbon travel.   

In 2023/24 we celebrated an Energy Saving Trust contribution equivalent to £1.75 million of social value across four themes of protecting the environment, creating new jobs, promoting equal opportunities and the wellbeing of all our colleagues and communities. 

Thank you to everyone who has worked with us to address the climate emergency in the last year. This of course includes our team at Energy Saving Trust, but also our business and public sector partners and especially the community groups whose members dedicate their free time to helping local energy projects succeed.      

Looking to 2024/25, we will continue to drive forward our mission to address the climate emergency and help change lives. Please join us.