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Grass roots groups shooting up

10/3/2010

High Barnet Green Home Zone is latest neighbourhood environmental social enterprise.

Local neighbourhood environmental social enterprises are shooting up across the country. The Energy Saving Trust's Green Communities programme features initiatives such as Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon. The group aims to make the picturesque town in Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2050. The latest green community scheme to be launched is the High Barnet Green Home Zone.

Catalysed by Gordon Miller, journalist and contributor to Building4Change, and founder of sustainable residential development website www.whatgreenhome.com, the High Barnet Green Home Zone has been formed as a Community Interest Company. The Zone's objective is to assist some 2,250 homeowners in its north London catchment area to reduce their energy use and develop their environmental awareness.

"The zone is a social enterprise which is loosely based on the 10:10 campaign," explained Miller. "We've bolted on a few areas that we have identified as being of particular interest to the volunteers and householders. For example, we are encouraging energy and water conservation, and people to grow their own veg too. Waste reduction and recycling is something we will focus a lot of our efforts on as well."

The enterprise formally launches on 20 March with an Eco Fair in the Hyde Room at Chipping Barnet Library and in The Spires shopping centre, High Barnet. Local retailers and residents are being encouraged to make the day a ‘plastic bag free day'. Following the launch event, homeowners will be offered free home energy visits. Miller says the focus is on residents but in time we there will be outreach to schools and businesses too. 

The High Barnet Green Home Zone has been selected by the Energy Saving Trust as one of five enterprises for support under its Green Communities enterprise. The zone is supported by Barnet Council and sponsored by Velux. All three will be participating in the Eco Fair. Other attendees include Friends of the Earth, EcoTeam, EcoConcierge, C-Mobile, Qubic, and Walkit. Craft makers and a face painter will be in attendance too.

To find out more about the High Barnet Green Home Zone, including sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.greenhomezone.org.