Promoting 'green' energy

More than 150 delegates gathered at the Guildhall recently to discuss how Hull can make greater use of solar, wind and wave power to help fight climate change.
The seminar on renewable energy attracted expert speakers from the University of Hull, major employers such as BP, renewable energy operators, environmental groups, and other organisations from across the region.
"It was an opportunity to exchange views and promote discussion on this increasingly important subject," said Cllr David Woods, who has responsibility for environmental sustainability in Hull, and who chaired the seminar.
"In the face of difficult global challenges, we looked at what we can do to make a difference in Hull and how we can achieve a sustainable approach to energy use and generation in the city."
The seminar, organised by Hull City Council and Hull Civic Society, will enable new planning policies to be drawn up to encourage greater use of wind turbines and solar panels.
These will feature in the city's Core Strategy which will also ensure new homes built in the city are energy efficient.
"We want to deliver real benefits for local people, the local economy and the environment," said Keith Griffiths, the council's local planning manager.
"The government has set ambitious targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases and the council has a key role to deliver new developments that are more energy efficient and generate a proportion of their energy on-site."