Launched by one person in Shropshire long before global warming moved to the centre of the political agenda, MEA marks its 10th birthday this week (THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER) as one of Britain's top climate change organisations.

Our mission is to bring about more sustainable use and generation of energy through education, demonstration and inspiration.

It's a far cry from September 1998 when the fledging sustainable energy initiative began life in a small office in the Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

In the last 12 months, MEA has doubled in size and moved into one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable buildings of its kind in Britain - the renovated Pump House in the same town. (see our office)

MEA's director for the last ten years, Richard Davies, said: "We have come so far, but the challenges to the climate change agenda are constant.  We have much more to do to win the arguments."

"Lately, we've seen the Government signal its intent to remain nuclear; planning approval has been given to Britain's first coal-fired power station in 20 years; and renewable transport fuels have suddenly gone out of fashion."

"Combined with the economic uncertainty and the rollercoaster ride of fossil fuel prices, it is clear that there are now more reasons than ever for MEA and its work, and the achievement of our goals is even more important than before."

MEA is marking its 10th birthday on Thursday 18 September in a number of ways:

• Light Fantastic, a project that inspires communities to embrace sustainable energy technologies including low energy lighting, will be launched in the Castle Grounds in Shrewsbury between 12.30pm and 2pm. Refreshments are being provided.

• MEA ‘Open House' at its offices at The Pump House from 3pm.

• Carbon Detox show at the Gateway Arts & Education Centre at 6pm. Free entry.

• Barbecue and drinks from 7pm at The Pump House.

Our Eco Vehicles Top Trumps game has been shortlisted for an award in the category of 'Green Campaign of the Year' at this year's Green Fleet awards.

We're up against BWM, Citroen and the NICE car company.

The award ceremony will take place on 25th September at Twickenham - we'll let you know how we get on!

Our Carbon Forum team have just received their Low Carbon Leadership work book hot off the press. This was produced in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust and seeks to help all that use it to move from low carbon aspiration to planning practical action. With a spare hour here and there (and internet access), the book enables an elected member, officer, LSP partner or interested community member to understand and create a low carbon route map for their community.

The book will shortly be available for download and we will be offering support sessions for Local Authorities and their partners. Watch this space!

 Update: now available for download - see services and products section

A group of architects, scientists and consultants from energy agencies and charities across Europe will be arriving in Shrewsbury on Monday 8th Sept for the kick-off meeting of a three year project aiming to make historic urban communities more energy efficient.

MEa are the lead partners in the porject and will be hosting the event.

The project partners from Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece and Ireland to meet for the first time and discuss developing the project.

The project is called Sustainable Energy Communities in Historic Urban Areas (SECHURBA).  Partners will take a number of case study buildings and streets throughout their chosen areas and carry out energy audits on them. They will then develop recommendations for increasing energy efficiency and installation of renewable energy sytems where appropriate. Maintaining the culture and heritage of the area is of key importance. MEA will be working closely with Planners and Conservation Officers from Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council and Shropshire County Council (who are official partners in the project).  English Heritage and the Building Research Establishment (BRE) will also be involved as specialist advisors.
  
MEA Project Manager, Nicole Solomons said "We are very excited about this new project and  hope it will help to tackle traditional constraints that many householders and businesses face when trying to carry out improvements on properties that may be listed or within a conservation area. In doing so we will help reduce energy use, and CO2 emissions in our community".

A local community steering group will be formed to take into account views of local residents in the town, and a public open event will be held to inform people about renewable energy technologies, as well as invite feedback from those living and working in Shrewsbury.  A SECHURBA project website will be launched soon to track progress of the project.

The majority of funding for the project is coming from the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, the EU's tool for funding action to encourage more efficient use of energy throughout the European Community.