What were the big successes of 2012?
Starting to recruit members, carrying out 40 whole house retrofit property surveys and getting the opportunity to deliver a £400,000 Community Green Deal programme.

What were the big lessons learnt?
That the more environmentally aware of us routinely under-heat our homes to the detriment of our health and that government are well intentioned on making reductions in carbon emissions but overly reliant on market-based, corporate-led solutions – time for a bottom up approach!

What we can expect from the Carbon Coop your in 2013?
Manchester’s first programme delivering 80% CO2 reduction homes fit for 2050 living and exciting developments in the field of open source energy monitors.

How will you know that 2013 has been a success and the lessons of 2012 have been implemented?
When the open source energy monitors are showing 80% reductions in energy usage and, where applicable, improvements in air quality in at least 8 households in Greater Manchester. When the Carbon Co-op model is refined and able to be rolled out at scale in streets and communities around the North West.

Jonathan Atkinson of The Carbon Coop