Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Development

Sustainable development strategies produced by successive British Government's during the 1990s and current policies and programmes have been based on experience carried forward from earlier work to improve energy efficiency. During the Second World War and the post-war years when fuel and materials were rationed the Government relied on the National Fuel Economy Services (NIFES), which was finally privatised in the 1970s. This organisation, which had several branches across the UK, provided a useful training ground for engineers who went on to work in the public and private sectors and had an involvement in establishing the professional bodies that led to the formation of the Energy Institute. A close relationship developed with those carrying out research on behalf of fuel suppliers (especially the nationally owned Coal, Gas and Nuclear Power companies) and equipment manufacturers. In the mid 1980s the Energy Efficiency Office (EEO) was set up and its national and regional structures (the picture, above left, shows the Regional Energy Efficiency Office team and Government Minister Tony Baldry in 1990 at the North West Exhibition & Conference held in Southport) formed the basis for the promotion of sustainability following the Earth Summit of 1992. Some of the new discipline's leading theorist, such as Roger Levett, had formerly served in the EEO. In 1985 the EEO sponsored NEMEX, a major Conference and Exhibition, which provided a show-case for members of a newly formed Trade Association, ESTA. NEMEX has continued and in 2004 two major themes of the conference were climate change and renewable energy. Below are a few images of the people and bodies whose contribution exemplifies the spirit of the last eighteen years, with the kind permission of those involved.

Front Page | Home Page for individuals | Business Services Index | Site contents & internal links | Email the Author