Local communities across Northern Ireland have been encouraged to participate in the Low Carbon Communities Challenge.

The challenge aims to provide financial and advisory support to 20 ‘test-bed’ communities, including local councils, charities and social enterprises, across Northern Ireland, England and Wales.

It is focused on those communities that are already taking action, or considering changes to cut carbon emissions and create more sustainable neighbourhoods, as well as those that could potentially house a wind farm, use electric cars or install community-scale retrofitting of homes.

Welcoming Northern Ireland’s inclusion in the Low Carbon Communities Challenge, Energy Minister Arlene Foster said: "The information gathered will not only help further develop plans to change the way we heat and power our homes and businesses, use our transport systems and our energy supplies, it will also inform government’s wider delivery plans on energy and climate change."

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Earlier this year, communities in Lisburn, Cookstown and Irvinestown participated in the DECC’s Big Energy Shift workshops, aimed at identifying how communities could best make cuts in their energy consumption.

"Now is the opportunity for more communities to get involved in the fight against carbon emissions and make a difference. This Low Carbon Communities Challenge can help achieve energy and cost savings, support inward investment and foster community leadership," said the Minister.

"I believe that such initiatives can help combine both technological solutions with household behaviour change, both of which are critical in achieving the carbon emission cuts we need in communities."

Communities will be supported through the provision of advice and funding, worth up to £500,000.

This money could then be invested in such projects as a community wind turbine or biomass heating pumps in the local community hall or school.

A specialist support group of partners, including The Energy Savings Trust and The Carbon Trust, will work together with each community to offer help and advice.

"I want to encourage all local communities to step up to the challenge of cutting carbon emissions and get involved today," added Ms Foster.

The scheme is part of a two year joint initiative, led and funded by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), Communities and Local Government, the Office of the Third Sector, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Welsh Assembly Government.

(PR/KMcA)