A major conference is being held to show the public sector how it can play its part in the fight against climate change.

The UK has been under fire for its 'unacceptably slow' progress towards meeting its renewable energy targets.

The conference, Renewable Energy in the Public Sector: Understanding Opportunities, will be held at the Barbican in June and aims to highlight the opportunities and options available, hopefully enabling those in the public sector to make that all-important first step to energy saving change.

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), with an aim to increase renewable heat generation from 1% to 12% by 2020, is due to be launched this year, with an initial investment of £850m in the first four years, providing support for those who install renewable heating.

Along with the 'local growth' white paper and the launch of the Green Investment Bank, the opportunities for the public sector to benefit have never been better.

All these incentives will be discussed at the conference, along with a series of masterclasses and a Q&A session. The conference will take place at the Barbican Conference Centre on June 23, 2011.

With many public sector organisations looking to cut costs, this is an ideal time for them to be saving energy.

[Image: Jeannie Wallen Photos]