Carbon Co-op

The Carbon Co-op has been set up to help people living in South Manchester to purchase low-carbon products at discounted rates.

The member-led social enterprise is a collaboration between environmental consultant Jonathan Atkinson and the URBED urban design co-operative.

Project development manager Jonathan explains the vision for the Carbon Co-op: "We want to make it easy for streets, neighbourhoods and communities to club together to buy low-carbon and energy-saving equipment for their homes. The products we'll source include energy monitors, 'A' rated domestic appliances, insulation, wind turbines and solar panels. The more people that join the co-operative, the cheaper the products will be. We're also exploring the possibility of offering low-interest loans through a local credit union, to help people spread the costs of buying low-carbon technologies."

Starting with one street

The Carbon Co-op team is using funding from the Big Green Challenge Plus to pilot the initiative on one street, in partnership with local housing association Mosscare. The pilot will run from December 2009 to summer 2010. "The first step is to complete a baseline study so that we know what equipment people have at the moment," says Jonathan. "We'll then organise home energy audits and run events to raise awareness of the different options available and gather ideas on the kinds of technology people would like to purchase."

The street's residents will be set the challenge of climbing a 'green energy ladder' which starts with making simple behavioural changes and then progresses to steps such as purchasing 'A' rated appliances,  insulating walls and lofts and installing renewable energy equipment. "Our aim is to provide access to information and product discounts that will empower residents to transform their homes and their street for themselves," comments Jonathan. "We'd like to see everyone move as far up the ladder as they can."

An online network

From January 2010, homeowners in South Manchester will also be able to join the co-operative through the Carbon Co-op website. The website will offer information on low-carbon technologies and opportunities for members to connect with each other, plus a subscription-only area where members can purchase discounted products.

Jonathan says that he'd like to see thousands of South Manchester's residents signed up to the Carbon Co-op. "We need a large membership base so that we can access the best bulk-buying discounts and offer really good deals to our members. Once we're well-established in the South Manchester area, we plan to extend the initiative to other areas too."