Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust

Pilkington has ceased funding of the Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust (PEET) for new projects. All current projects, however, will continue to be funded to completion.

PEET was established over ten years ago by the company as a response to the government’s request to business for positive environmental initiatives. It has provided financial support to 45 research or demonstration projects, many of which have helped to further the understanding of energy efficiency in buildings and inform government policy in this area.

Although funded by Pilkington, PEET has been managed by a Board of Trustees that was independent of the company. The Trustees awarded funds to support innovative energy-efficiency projects on the basis of potential positive effects on policy, behaviour and performance. Successful projects have covered subjects as wide-ranging as investigating policies for economic incentives for sustainable communities, quantifying the effects of photovoltaics in high rise buildings and testing of innovative energy saving technologies. Organisations that have received support from PEET include the Green Alliance, National Energy Services, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development and Association for Conservation of Energy.

Pilkington has reluctantly taken this decision after much consideration. The environment for financial assistance for energy efficiency projects has changed considerably since PEET began and several other routes to more substantial funding are now available. Furthermore, whilst many of the recent applications for funding have been worthy, arguably some of them do not carry the necessary weight to bring about the significant change that is required.

Although new projects can no longer be considered for funding, PEET will continue to support all current projects through to completion and, where possible, help to disseminate the findings from the final report for each one.

Pilkington would like to thank those organisations that have utilised funding from PEET to further our knowledge and understanding in the field of energy efficiency in buildings. Special thanks go to all of those who have served as Trustees and provided their invaluable time, expertise and guidance during the lifetime of PEET.

As energy efficiency and sustainability issues remain to the fore, Pilkington, as part of the NSG Group, is committed to delivering energy efficient buildings and reductions in CO2 emissions through product technologies. As a global supplier of glass products for buildings, homes and cars around the world, the NSG Group is taking on the challenge of solving global climate change issues through its core glass business.

A summary of the projects funded by PEET, along with a selection of final reports, can be found by clicking here.

If you have any questions on the above, please contact Phil Brown.