The ‘Switch it Off’ campaign has been running in Coventry and Warwick for four years now, since 2006, and covers one and a half million people and has had a lot of success.

It was suggested that since the campaign was such a success, Birmingham’s participation would greatly improve both the success of the campaign and Birmingham’s profile as a leader in sustainable development.

Karl Whale, the Environmental Outreach Officer of Birmingham Friends of the Earth said that the project intended:

‘To get Birmingham Council to promote and participate in the Switch it off campaign which has been so successful in Coventry and Warwick.’

The Big Switch Off during 2009 took place between 4:30pm and 6:30pm on Friday the 13^th of November.

During this time electricity was monitored and there was a 26.9-megawatt drop in peak demand when compared to the same time the previous week. This is equivalent to 154,598 households in Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire turning off their televisions for the full two hours.

It was suggested that if Birmingham were to participate this success would be much greater.

Karl goes on to say:

‘In order to do this we must develop links within the council to promote the Switch it off campaigns ideals and values, as well as encouraging people to work within the council to organize events such as the Big Switch Off and promoting the message that turning electrical appliances off rather than leaving them on standby can save energy, money and the environment.’

The Green New Deal project that eventually aims to see all homes in Birmingham retrofitted with the energy efficient improvements will be launched as a pilot project within Aston, Lozells, Newton and Northfield.

25,000 homeowners and 1,000 businesses will be offered the chance to trial the significant energy improvements made to their properties through use of both insulation and small scale generation, which will eventually save them money.

Councillor Paul Tilsey, Deputy Leader of the Birmingham City Council, said:

“The project offers a fantastic opportunity for homeowners to not only cut carbon pollution, but also save themselves thousands of pounds by drastically reducing future bills without the need for any huge up front payment”

Not only does the project have prospects of saving energy and reducing C02 emissions, it also serves as potential career opportunities, opening up 270 jobs in the process.

It was suggested that by hitting their five-year target of one in fives homes in the pilot area taking up the scheme, this would still see an annual C02 saving of more than 3750 tonnes.

Councillor Paul Tilsey goes on to say that:

“If we can successfully operate this scheme within the pilot area, and really get local people bought in, then there is no reason at all we can’t look to roll this out across all of Birmingham in the future, setting a green standard beyond that of any city in the world.”