Early adopters of renewable energy may be worse off under the Government’s scheme to encourage more people to generate their own electricity, unless it increases the proposed rates of feed-in tariff for existing microgenerators.

The new ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ proposals are currently under consultation. Whereas new investors in microgeneration will be paid up to 36.5p¹ per kWh of electricity they generate, people who installed their system before the July this year will get just 9p per kWh. Many people will take a cut in income as a result of the government’s financial incentive scheme.

Calculations done by YouGen find that most people with solar panels will be worse off by up to 70 per year. That’s a loss of £1,190 in income over the period of the feed-in tariff. This varies according to which electricity provider they are signed up with. Those currently using Good Energy, Npower of Scottish and Southern will suffer most (see below for details).

“It is strange that a scheme that’s meant to encourage people to take up microgeneration will punish those who have lead the way,” said Cathy Debenham, founder of YouGen. “These are they people who could act as advocates and encourage take up, but many of them feel let down and cheated. Despair, disgrace, discrimination, outrage, horrified and illogical are just some of the adjectives in emails sent to me by YouGen users.

“What worries me most is the number of respondents (both microgenerators and installers) who don’t realise the implications of the feed-in proposals. This is why we have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the proposals and to encourage people to respond to the consultation, either directly or by signing the petition at http://www.yougen.co.uk/equal/.

The petition calls for all existing microgenerators (with installations of less than 50kW) to receive the same level of Clean Energy Cashback (feed-in tariff) as those who install in the first year of its introduction. This would recognise and reward them for their role in leading the way in carbon reduction, and for the substantial impact they can have in encouraging others to follow suit.

“The majority of the early adopters didn’t do it to make money,” added Cathy Debenham, “although some of the most recent ones have been encouraged by the promise of a feed-in tariff. However, they have been taken aback by the sheer inequality in reward, and understandably those whose installations are now going to take even longer to pay back are particularly unhappy.”

For more information, or to arrange interviews with existing microgenerators or installers, contact Cathy Debenham, cathy@yougen.co.uk t: 01395 597879, m: 07786 440129.

1 for a small solar photovoltaic system.

  
SALE 10% OFF ALL CANVAS BAGS FOR LIFE AS USED BY TOPSHOP
celebrating LONDON FASHION WEEK

Earlier this year we helped Topshop launch their New York store with this fashionable long handled canvas bag.

At 10% off ALL CANVAS PRODUCTS there is no excuse not to promote your green message, to your customers.

Call 0845 230 5996 or email kiran@supreme-london.com for some of the LOWEST PRICES in the UK.

Quick link to our Website
Prince Charles’ National Example of Excellence

Earlier this year Prince Charles named us his “National Example of Excellence”.

Winning this prestigious national award was because of our inspiring ethical and environmental work with:

1. Fairtrade cotton farmers

2. Underprivileged women workers training them with skills for life in our 100% owned factory

3. The Wings of Hope Children’s Charity – educating hundreds of children in developing countries

Click here for The Wings of Hope website

Offer subject to acceptable artwork and valid for 200 or more printed canvas bags or above. Orders must be confirmed by 15 October 2009 (not valid in combination with any other offers, discounts or promotions)

The Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC)
announced today that Peter Holbrook will become its new chief executive officer
following the departure of Jonathan Bland in the New Year.  Peter is
currently the CEO of Sunlight Development Trust in Gillingham, Kent, as well as
one of England’s Social Enterprise Ambassadors.

Claire Dove, the chair of SEC, announced
his appointment by saying: “Peter is one of the most innovative leaders
working in social enterprise today. He brings with him the right experience and
an enormous amount of passion. Peter’s entrepreneurial abilities, the
pioneering work he has done at Sunlight and his commitment to social enterprise
make him the right person for the job. On behalf of the SEC board and staff, I
am absolutely delighted to welcome him to the Coalition.”

Holbrook said: “Politically and
economically, social enterprise is set to be tested like never before. But
alongside the undoubted challenges that face the sector, we have a unique
opportunity to promote an economic model that can change not only the way we do
business but also society at large.

“I’m honoured to lead SEC
during this period of change, which would be daunting were it not for
Jonathan’s inspiring legacy and the incredible team I’ll be proud
to be working with.”

Jonathan Bland will continue full time as
CEO until 31 October and after that will provide interim support until Holbrook
starts in the New Year.

Bland has been CEO of the Coalition since
its inception six years ago and is leaving in order to start an international
consultancy on social enterprise. He said: “I couldn’t be more
pleased to be passing along the reigns to Peter. I am confident that his vision
and passion will take the Coalition into a new and exciting phase.” 

Sunlight is one of the UK’s most
dynamic and successful social enterprises and works to tackle long-standing health
and social inequalities in the community.  It was the
winner of the 2004 Community Regeneration Awards (BURA), was given special
recognition by the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2005 and was
highly commended by the Centre for Social Justice in 2007. In 2008 Sunlight
Social Enterprises CIC, home of cafesunlight, parentis, radio sunlight and
sunlight studios, was awarded Best New Social Enterprise at the Enterprising
Solutions Awards.

There are
approximately 62,000 social enterprises in the UK with a combined turnover of
£27billion. They operate in almost every sector including health, employment,
education, retail, technology, renewable energy and the arts.

The Social Enterprise Coalition is the
UK’s national body for social enterprise and represents a wide range of
social enterprises, regional and national support networks and other related
organisations. The Coalition key activities are centred around informing the policy agenda, influencing the political
agenda, promoting the benefits of social enterprise through the media, campaigning and events, and undertaking research to expand the social enterprise
evidence base.

Its
that time of year again and the Eco Print elves are getting
restless…

Eco Print are giving you
the chance to stay a step ahead and get those all important Christmas
Cards ordered to send out to all of your loyal
customers/contacts/suppliers.

The earlier you order the
less expensive they are.

We
have designs all set up and ready but if you want to personalise
yours then send us the artwork and the text and we will do this free
of charge* All the cards are
printed on 100% recycled card using biodegradable inks and
come with 100% recycled white envelopes.
The cards can be ordered in different quantities with up to three
different designs if you wish.

See our
website http://www.ecoprintuk.com/christmas.php for prices, images
and delivery options.

Contact
Eco Print on 01722 340 350 for further information

*Images
and text to be supplied, to be printed on one of two standard sizes.
Further design work may be charged from £10.

Friday 25th September is the final deadline for
entries into the 4th annual Green Awards for excellence in
communicating sustainability

21st September, London - Organisations wanting to
demonstrate their commitment to communicating sustainability have until
Friday 25th September to enter the media and marketing industry’s
fourth annual GREEN AWARDS^TM.

Whether you’re a company, government body, charity, or individual
campaigner, the Green Awards offers you a golden opportunity to
demonstrate how you’ve used creative communications to push social,
environmental and economic sustainability.

The GREEN AWARDS^TM recognises excellence in 16 categories from Best
Green International Campaign open to global entrants to Best Green
Campaigner for individuals and small groups championing sustainability.

This year, the judging panel of 25 sustainability and communication
heavy-weights will be pushing the standards of green marketing even
further. Peter White, Global Sustainability Director, P&G and chair
of the UK judging panel, commented: “Keeping the focus on
sustainability in a downturn is tough, but essential. The GREEN AWARDS^TM
2009 allow us to celebrate those who have achieved this – through
creative excellence”.

Previous winners include Nokia, Marks & Spencer, UNEP and Green
Thing. This year’s keynote speaker will be Jonathon Porritt, Programme
Director of Forum for the Future and Chairman of the UK Sustainable
Development Commission.

The 2009 GREEN AWARDS^TM are open for entries until 25th September. To apply visit www.greenawards.co.uk and download an entry form.

The latest title from Transition Books covers the whole gamut of Local
Food.  It is packed full of ideas, reviews of projects and details of
resources.

Click here to read the review of the book on the New Forest Food Challenge site….

THIS
SATURDAY 5pm-12pm TABERNACLE, NOTTING HILL, LONDON, W11 2AY  

What
do Trousers London, Eako Belts, THTC, Simple Shoes, Credau &
Catarin Vassalo have in common? Well, apart from being the most
sought-after ethical names in the design business, they have all
aligned themselves with eco-entrepreneur Jarvis Smith. 

Jarvis
has a Midas touch for the twenty first century: everything he touches
goes green. His band, the Phoenix Rose, is even signed to the UK’s
1st ethical label, Archangel Green.

Now,
Jarvis and The Phoenix Rose are offering something very special. On
September 19, to coincide with the launch of their new single, Sick &
Tired, they’re taking over London’s historic venue The Tabernacle
to lay on an event which fuses ethical music and fashion.

To
the sound of the guitars and classical Indian vocals of The Phoenix
Rose, those who care about the planet can sit back and enjoy a
catwalk showcase of ethical designers and then rock out to an
exclusive live performance of Sick & Tired.

Jarvis
Smith says: “Music and fashion have always been a way to express
ourselves, and both are a powerful influence in today’s society. By
uniting and working together with the common goal of being ethical
and sustainable, we can leave a habitable planet behind for our
children. One love, one world – one chance to get it right.”

Kicking
off the evening will be beats from world renowned DJ and producer
Banco de Gaia. With a set featuring tracks from his forthcoming album
Memories,
Dreams, Reflections,
Banco is “proud to be a part of something so unique”.

The
Venue: Tucked away on Powis Square, London’s stunning Tabernacle
has played an important part in the capital’s nightlife for over
120 years. Opened by Lord Shaftesbury in 1888 it went on to epitomise
Notting Hill’s cultural diversity in the 50s and 60s. It has also
played host to the likes of Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones.

Supported
by the Big
Issue,
who are offering free entry with a current copy, join us and be a
part of history in the making.

Are
you Sick & Tired of waiting? Well now the wait is over. It’s
time for change and the change is here.

ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION

Date:
19/09/09

Time:
5.30pm
doors open till late.

6.00pm
Banco De Gaia DJ Set 7.30pm Part 1 Ethical Fashion Show and The
Phoenix Rose Semi Acoustic Live set 8.00pm Fundraising Auction of
exclusive product donated by the labels and other ethical partners.
8.30pm Part 2 Ethical Fashion Show and The Phoenix Rose Semi Acoustic
Live set.  9.15pm DJ from special surprise

More
treats to be confirmed

Venue:
The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, W11 2AY  

You can join a 5 km 10 km, half or full marathon. But the trip is not simply about running. For a week you will be hosted by a Saharawi refugee family, where you will have the chance to learn their story and experience the legendary hospitality of a forgotten desert people in exile.

Where: The Saharawi refugee camps near Tindouf, in SW Algeria
Race Date: Feb 22 2010 (leave London 19th return 27th)
Registration Deadline: November 15th, 2009
Intrigued? For more info see below and email: runningthesahara@sandblast-arts.org or check http://www.sandblast-arts.org and go to events.

Ebico – the UK’s
only not-for-profit energy supplier, has been rewarded for its attempts to reduce the
bills of low income households by being named the UK’s most socially
responsible business.

The company won the CSR category of the Best
Business Awards, which are run by Awards Intelligence to highlight and
reward excellence across the private and public sectors.

Ebico founder and MD,
Phil Levermore said: “Our business model is totally unique and we are
committed to tackling fuel poverty and climate change through a variety of
initiatives.  It’s encouraging that our CSR strategy has been recognised
by the Best Business Awards. As the company continues to grow, we believe we
can make meaningful inroads into tackling fuel poverty across the UK and
help to create a low carbon future by encouraging people to cut their energy
consumption.”

Based in Witney, Oxfordshire, Ebico’s entire
business model is based on CSR principles. The company, which was set up by Mr
Levermore in 1998, donates its surplus money in the pursuit of reducing fuel
poverty and tackling climate change by helping householders reduce their carbon
footprints.

Andrew Areoff, Chair
of Judges said: “It is refreshing to see an energy supplier taking CSR
commitments so seriously. While not everyone can follow a not-for-profit
business model, it is clear that many organisations could do a lot more to
support the community or protect the environment.

“Congratulations
to Ebico founder Phil Levermore for his vision and determination to get this
initiative off the ground and we hope it acts as inspiration to others”.

All the bags in the below image are now
only 40p each.

If interested, please contact
us.

Regards,
Rob Angel

for and on behalf of
Greengrocer (UK) Ltd

www.greengrocer.uk.com

16 West Barnes Lane, London, United Kingdom SW20 0BU
M +44 (0)7725522317 / T+44 (0)208 944 1940 / F +44 (0)208 944 1117