Stroud District Council has won the 2010 Green Energy Award for being the south west's Most Proactive Local Authority, at the South West Green Energy Awards.
The award – which is designed to recognise the crucial role local authorities can play in supporting sustainable energy – was presented to the council at a ceremony, held at the Bath Assembly Rooms.
Head judge of the category, Dermot Grimson of the Crown Estate, said: "Stroud is increasingly seeing things happen 'on the ground'. There has been tremendous improvement in the district over the past 12 months, and its model is an exemplar to all smaller local authorities."
The council was particularly noted for its three-year Climate Change Programme "Target 2050", which has helped over 180 householders, 66 businesses and 20 community buildings to reduce their CO2 emissions. Their 'cross tenure' project in an off-gas area has delivered 48 renewable heating solutions, and their involvement in the 'DECC PAYS' pilot finances tailored local solutions with local suppliers and installers.
Stroud District Council beat off strong opposition from other shortlisted entries including previous winners Bristol City Council, and Gloucester City Council.
Councillor Libby Bird, cabinet member for climate change for Stroud District Council, said: "We are delighted to receive this award for our climate change work. Residents, businesses and community projects in our district have grasped the green opportunities afforded by our initiatives and we're looking forward to seeing the reaction to the national Green Deal scheme, based on the PAYS pilot, when it is rolled out next year."
Now in their seventh year, the South West Green Energy Awards recognise, reward, and pay tribute to the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations operating in the south west sustainable energy industry.
Leading environmentalist Jonathon Porritt, who hosted the South West Green Energy Awards, said: "Forget two, five, ten or even fifteen percent – we need at least 70 or 80 per cent of our energy to come from renewable sources – as fast as we can deliver it. It's therefore essential that we get spread that message, so that people understand the power of what lies behind a renewable future.
"What we are celebrating here at the South West Green Energy Awards are the decisions and actions of people working towards that kind of future. The people here tonight have demonstrated what the potential is for building the future in a completely different way; for creating wealth in completely different ways; and for bringing forward new technologies in completely different ways."
More than 100 entries were received for the 2010 awards, and the winners were chosen from a high-quality shortlist of entrants from across the region by an independent panel of judges who have expert knowledge in sustainable energy. Winners were chosen in six categories: Best Renewable Energy Scheme, Best Business Innovation, Most Proactive Local Authority, South West Sustainable Energy Champion, Best Community Initiative, and Installer or Supplier of the Year.
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