The people of Greater Manchester are being asked to show their love for locally-owned clean energy by signing a new community energy pledge.

The pledge is online at http://gm-communityenergypledge.org.uk/

Community energy groups from across Greater Manchester have come together to launch the pledge on a website ahead of Valentine’s Day to rally public support for clean energy projects which are run for the benefit of the community rather than for private profit. Members of the public who sign the pledge will be kept informed about the progress of the different schemes, and will be given the chance to invest in the projects as they are launched.

Members of the public who sign the pledge will be kept informed about the progress of the different schemes, and will be given the chance to invest in the projects as they are launched.

Ali Abbas from Greater Manchester Community Renewables said:

“In Paris, governments promised to cut carbon emissions, but the policies they have put in place are not enough. It’s up to communities to take action ourselves to make the changes we need to happen.

“Greater Manchester was the birthplace of the industrial revolution and we want it to be at the forefront of the clean energy revolution too. We are proud of our heritage and hope that people will support these modern day Pioneers.”

David Cullen from Moss Community Energy said:

“Despite all the government cuts to support for clean energy, lots of Greater Manchester community energy projects are planning to launch in 2016. Rather than competing with each other, we decided to come together on a joint platform to support each other.

“The pledge is a way of saying that, whatever the government does in the short term, clean energy is the road to the future and our projects will put communities in the driving seat.”

The Paris agreement on Climate Change commits governments to pursue policies which will limit global temperatures, but despite being a signatory the UK government has cut support for renewable power while bringing in tax breaks for oil companies. However, the groups involved in the pledge are pressing ahead with their plans for community-owned renewable energy in Greater Manchester and believe they have public opinion on their side.

Money to fund the different projects will be raised through the issue of community shares, and any financial surplus made after investors have been paid back will be available for initiatives which benefit local communities.