POOLE energy certification scheme Green PEA is in the running for Best Community Initiative in the Regen South West Green Energy awards.

This comes hard on the heels of the scheme recently winning a Green Apple Award for environmental best practice The Green Positive Environmental Action scheme (Green PEA) is a partnership between Borough of Poole, Poole Chamber of Trade and Commerce and several energy companies.

It has been developed to offer free energy assessments to businesses, community groups and schools to lower carbon emissions within the local area.

Shortlisted nominees will now go through to the final stage of judging where an expert panel of judges will select the winners, to be announced at an awards ceremony at Bath on November 25.

“With so many fantastic nominations the judges will have a difficult task in selecting the winners,” said Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW.

“What stands out from this year’s shortlist is that the south west continues to lead the development of renewables, delivering innovation both in products and also in new collaborative development models with local communities.”

Cllr Ian Potter, portfolio holder for carbon management at Borough of Poole said: “I am pleased to be able to support the successful Green PEA scheme and am delighted that the scheme is gaining national recognition.

“This shortlisting by Regen South West follows the scheme winning a national Green Apple award earlier this year and I look forward to Green PEA working with many more local businesses to reduce their emissions and overheads for the coming months.”

Companies that are members of Green PEA have identified savings of more than £662,664 and 3,467 (tCO2) carbon dioxide units over the next 10 years.

To find out more, email the Green PEA team at greenpea@poole.gov.uk or call 01202 633029.