In 2009 we celebrated our 30th anniversary ...
Our history
Switched on since 1979
CSE came into being in 1979, though in those days we were called the Urban Centre for Appropriate Energy (UCAT).
We began as a sister organisation to the widely known and well-respected Centre for Alternative Energy, and have always been based in Bristol where we are putting down strong roots in the community.
In 2009 we celebrated our 30th anniversary. It was interesting to note that many of the issues facing the world in 1979 – looming economic crisis, oil price shocks, concerns about environmental limits to growth – were still with us.
Though despite this we were able to see signs of hope: new commitments to radical cuts in UK carbon emissions; a major push on renewable energy; an enhanced role for communities in the shift to a sustainable energy.
Simon Roberts, CSE’s Chief Executive said “We used our anniversay to share our 30 years of experience and show how the best of our work can stimulate and support the sweeping transformation needed to tackle climate change and end fuel poverty.”
And looking back on the moment a generation ago when four people got together in a pub to develop the idea which became CSE, he added: “Without their initial spark, CSE would not now be in the position where we can genuinely help to turn these national commitments into practical, deliverable initiatives and to support communities and local authorities to realise their ambitions for a low carbon future.”
To mark our 30th anniversary, we published a book and hosted two special events in Bristol and London. Details below.
Switched on since 1979
Also to mark our 30th anniversary we produced a small book: Switched on since 1979. Want a copy? Send us your name and address and we'll put one in the post. Alternatively, read the PDF by clicking here.
30th anniversary conference (Bristol)
Shaping a (local) sustainable energy future: the next steps
Watershed Media Centre | 30 June 2009 | click here to read more
30th anniversary policy workshop (London)
Exploring ‘energy justice’: prospects for fairness in UK climate policy
Coin Street Community Centre, Southwark | Monday 30 November 2009 | click here to read more
Founding Faith
Read Hugh Barton's personal reflections on the the politics, the philosophy and the people surrounding CSE's foundation in 1979 here.
Five years ago ...
To mark our 25th anniversary in 2004 we published ‘Shaping a Sustainable Energy Future’, detailing seven lessons we had learned and (as we said at the time) still struggle to apply.
Download it here.
Switched on since 1979
Also to mark our 30th anniversary we produced a small book: Switched on since 1979. Copies are available as a PDF by clicking here.