As the Home Energy Conservation Authority (HECA) for Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive promotes energy efficiency awareness and believes households should get the right energy advice.
Robert Clements, Sustainable Development Manager for the Housing Executive, welcomed the recent tree planting which he says will have a positive impact on carbon levels.
He said: “With planting 400 trees across two locations in Northern Ireland, we will offset over 66 tonnes of carbon by 2050.
“This is the equivalent carbon cost of sending 66 people on a return flight to New York or driving over 300,000 miles in a small car. The Housing Executive is also currently looking at other tree planting opportunities.”
This month (April) marks a year since the launch of the NI Energy Advice Service which provides free impartial advice, helping people save money on their energy bills, while reducing their carbon footprint.
As part of the promotional launch of the service, which was postponed due to Covid-19, the Housing Executive pledged to plant 400 trees in its woodlands, instead of offering commercial, plastic merchandise.
A live, interactive broadcast marked this launch which was streamed to an invited audience of stakeholders, community groups and guest speaker, Professor Roberts, Chair of the Housing Executive.
200 trees have been planted in the Forthriver Road Woodland, Belfast thanks to help from Belfast Grounds Manager, Malachy Brennan.
Birch, Oak, Willow and Cherry trees which are all native to Northern Ireland were purchased by the Housing Executive through The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).
From growing trees from hand-picked seeds to reforesting Northern Ireland, the TCV Tree Nursery has been growing native provenance trees for over 30 years with the help of volunteers from all over Northern Ireland and beyond.
An additional 200 trees will also be planted in the North West by the Housing Executive.
Meanwhile, over 3,000 home and business customers have been offered help through the NI Energy Advice Service since it launched last year.
Customers are provided with current up-to-date energy advice and grant signposting through our dedicated One-Stop Shop Energy Advice Service.
It is managed by the Housing Executive, and funded through the Department for Communities.
You can get advice by completing our eForm https://www.nihe.gov.uk (search NI Energy Advice), email nienergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk, or call us on 0800 111 4455.
