The Energy Saving Trust was set up by the UK Government after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and is one of the UK's leading organisations addressing the damaging effects of climate change. The Trust's goal is to achieve the sustainable and efficient use of energy, and to cut carbon dioxide emissions which are the key contributor to global warming. The Trust is a non-profit organisation funded by governments and the private sector.

The Trust is working with the Housing Corporation to further promote energy efficiency through a number of joint ventures. These are detailed under the Managed Housing Programme below

The first point of call for housing association wishing to know more about EST programmes should be Practical help. Although designed for local authorities, this free service is also accessible to housing associations. It offers information, support and funding opportunities via a quarterly newsletter, a regular email bulletin service and an enquiries answering service, where all enquiries are answered in 3 working days. The team can also point enquirers to the most appropriate EST programme where relevant. This website has a wealth of information including the latest news and events, case studies, a discussion group and details of sources of funding and other relevant organisations. Contact Practical help at: www.practicalhelp.org.uk or call the team on 0870 241 2089.

The Managed Housing Programme offers advice, support and information on funding to public and private sector housing managers. Although in its early stages, several projects to support housing managers have already been launched, including a number of joint ventures with the Housing Corporation such as:

• investigating opportunities for joint representations to Government on policy areas of mutual interest
• joint funding energy efficiency projects
• sharing results of research

Other projects include the Funding Database, which aims to identify possible funding for sustainable energy projects, and the Large Scale Voluntary Transfer/Arms Length Management Organisation research programme. Website: http://www.est.co.uk/housing/

Innovation Programme -- provides support for local authorities, housing associations and their project partners to promote and implement innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions in their local areas. The Innovation Programme aims to encourage a holistic approach to carbon reduction. The focus is increasingly on energy efficiency and how projects can work with sustainable energy activities funded from other sources. Please click here for details.

Community Energy Programme -- £50 million available for capital expenditure over three years for local authorities, registered social landlords, hospitals, universities and other public service organisations. The programme supports the refurbishment of existing, and the installation of new, community heating schemes throughout the UK. Please click here for details.

Energy Services programme -- offers a range of support materials and free consultancy to help organisations establish energy services schemes. At their simplest, energy services links the supply of energy with the provision of energy efficiency measures and services, ideally with a financial package. For housing associations, energy services schemes can result in improved services to tenants, lower energy bills and better quality housing. Please click here for details.

Efficiency Best Practice in Housing -- is the UK Government's principal energy efficiency information, advice and research programme for professional organisations involved in all aspects of housing. The programme's aim is to help cut energy bills in housing, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by encouraging the adoption of best practice. Energy Efficiency Best Practice promotes best practice through free publications and events, and encourages action with advice and support at every stage from planning to design, implementation and management. Please click here for details.

Solar PV Grants Programme -- is the Department of Trade and Industry's 20 million first phase major photovoltaic (PV) demonstration programme. Managed by EST, substantial grants are available towards the installation of solar electricity equipment to generate electricity, in both large scale and small scale systems, applicable to housing, schools, public and business buildings. Please click here for details.

To register please call 0845 1207799 or email bestpractice@est.co.uk