What is Innovative Thinking?

Swindon Borough Council recognises the impact on global climate from carbon dioxide emissions arising from our activities. We recognise the need to urgently reduce our carbon dioxide emissions to sustainable and equitable levels. Changing to a low carbon economy will help to increase the self sufficiency of our community in relation to energy and could create economic opportunities.

Achieving this needs the participation of all key energy users in our community to work together.

In December 2006 Swindon Borough Council was awarded 15,000 Euros to participate in the 3 year EU ‘Innovative Thinking’ project with partners from 7 other European communities.  The aim of the project is to establish and implement a Sustainable Energy Action Plan in each community.

The Innovative Thinking project focuses on the process of changing attitudes and behaviours to overcome existing barriers within and between communities. The aim is to establish and implement an action plan in each community as a joint agreed document. This will include concrete actions, such as investment plans, as well as plans and action for information and training. The work will cover renewable energy, energy efficiency in buildings as well as industry and transport.

The direct outcome of this project is broad commitment between stakeholders in each community, including utilities, building owners, industries, transport companies, the local authority and NGOs, and political support. This means action plans and strategies, including concrete actions, and to increase the share of renewables, increase the energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes, to include the transport sector.

Participating Communities:

• Municipality of Dals-Ed (Dals-Ed), Sweden
• Municipality of Tanum, (Tanum) Sweden
• Kommunalförbundet Dalsland/Energiråd Väst (Energy Agency of West Sweden ) Sweden
• Milieudienst Regio Eindhoven (SRE), The Netherlands
• SenterNovem, (SenterNovem) The Netherlands
• Ekodoma, (Ekodoma) Latvia
• Azienda Intercommunale Municipalizzata Acqua e Gas (AIMAG), Italy
• Agenzia per lÈnergia e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile di Modena (AEES), Italy
• Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd (SWEA), United Kingdom
• Swindon Borough Council ( Swindon) United Kingdom
• Stroud District Council (Stroud) United Kingdom
• Fundación Cartif (CARTIF), Spain
• Agencia Provincial de la Energia de Ávila (APEA), Spain
• Association Municipal Energy Efficiency Network EcoEnergy Bulgaria

Energy Status Report for UK Communities:

To view the Energy Status Report for Stroud and Swindon follow the link below:

Energy Status Report for UK Communities (PDF)

Further Information

For more information about the project, please see the Innovative Thinking website (www.innovativethinking.eu)