Energy Saving Trust
Energy Saving Trust (EST) is a British organization devoted to promoting energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the sustainable use of energy, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and helping to prevent man-made climate change. It was founded in the United Kingdom as a government-sponsored initiative in 1992, following the global Earth Summit. Energy Saving Trust is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the government and the private sector. It is a social enterprise, and also has a charitable foundation. EST has regional offices in England, and country offices in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland . It maintains a comprehensive website, and a network of numerous local advice centres. History and purpose. Energy Saving Trust was formally established in November 1992. It was formed, as a public-private partnership, in response both to the director-general of Ofgas's 1991 proposal to increase energy efficiency in natural gas use, and to the global June 1992 Earth Summit call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent global warming and climate change. In the wake of energy-supplier privatisation in the UK, EST was also specifically formed as an instrument to ensure energy conservation and carbon-emission reduction  in a free-market environment. The structure, scope, nature, and funding of EST's activities and programmes have varied over the years due to governmental policy changes; however its primary focus – on consumers and households – has remained the same. It is the largest provider of energy-saving advice, and has effected significant and measurable savings of energy, money, and carbon. EST's main goals are to achieve the sustainable use of energy and to cut carbon dioxide emissions. It acts as a bridge between consumers, government, trade, businesses, third sector organisations, local authorities, and the energy market. EST's target  audience is consumers, local authorities, energy companies, and policy makers. Among other activities, they provide: Services provided. EST provides grants and free advice to the public to help reduce energy use, energy bills, and greenhouse gas emissions. For individuals, Energy Saving Trust provides information and advice on subjects including: For organisations, Energy Saving Trust provides numerous services including: Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. Energy Saving Trust manages the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme on behalf of Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). The Redress Scheme was launched by Ofgem in 2018 to support vulnerable energy consumers and fund the  development of energy products and services to reduce the environmental impact of energy use. It is funded by energy companies who have breached their operating licence conditions. In the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme's thirteenth round of funding, started in October 2021, £11.5 million was made available to charities across England, Scotland and Wales.