BarnIngham NET ZERO

The Barningham Net Zero Community Interest Company was founded by a group of concerned residents in April 2020 to carry on activities which benefit the community of Barningham, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Current or recent projects undertaken by the team include tree and hedge planting, supported by Trees for Teesdale and multiple grant funds, and a domestic lightbulb audit and LED replacement initiative, supported by a grant from the Neighbourhood Budgets of our local Councillors George Richardson and James Rowlandson, facilitated by the Durham County Council Teesdale Area Action Partnership.

An early aim of the team was to reduce energy costs for Barningham residents and businesses by implementation of cost-effective renewable energy generation technologies.  This activity, when combined with energy efficiency improvements, would help reach the ultimate vision of achieving a “net zero” carbon footprint from Barningham building emissions.  Between August 2020 and April 2021, we carried out a study to establish the feasibility of bringing ‘green’ energy to Barningham – the Barningham Renewable Energy Project.

Unfortunately this £38,400 renewable energy feasibility study project showed that the electricity generation scheme proposed in the study was not financially viable and the team will consequently keep the potential under review as climate change regulation and legislation develops, as surely it must.

Work during the project also resulted in the publication of 24 factsheets on household energy efficiency and management, with categories covering: simple energy tips; advice for vulnerable or elderly residents; heating, cooking, lighting and house maintenance; and draught-proofing and insulation.

The aims of Barningham Net Zero Community Interest Company remain as reducing energy costs for Barningham Parish residents and achieving a net zero carbon footprint from Barningham building emissions, along with other measures having an environmental benefit in our locality.