Coventry is taking action to tackle climate change, and it’s not just talk. A 15-year strategic energy partnership between Coventry City Council and E.ON is already transforming how the city uses, generates, and manages energy.
From thermal drones spotting heat loss to free home battery installations, Coventry is proving that going green isn’t just about saving the planet—it’s about saving money, creating jobs, and making life better for residents.
🛸 Drones are mapping Coventry’s heat loss
If you live in Hillfields, you might have seen drones buzzing overhead. They’re not spying on you—they’re identifying poorly insulated homes.
A thermal drone survey takes minutes, compared to hours for a traditional home visit. This means help can be targeted where it’s needed most, saving time, money, and energy.
This pilot project, run by tech startup Kestrix, is one of many new ideas driving Coventry towards net zero.
⚡ Action, not just words
Jim O’Boyle, Coventry’s cabinet member for climate change, says the council can’t do it alone.
“It takes everyone—residents, businesses, charities—to come together and say: ‘We need to do something here.’”
E.ON’s head of city partnerships, Natalie Robinson, agrees. The company has been based in Coventry for over 30 years and sees this as a chance to use its global expertise at a local level.
🚗 Electric vehicles, greener homes, and battery power
The partnership launched in 2023, and big changes are already happening:
- EV chargers everywhere – Coventry has the most outside London, with nearly 500 charging points per 100,000 people.
- All-electric bus city – By 2025, Coventry will have a fully electric bus network.
- Warmer homes – Low-income households are getting insulation upgrades through the Home Upgrade Grant scheme.
- Free home batteries – E.ON is piloting battery storage for vulnerable customers, helping them save money on electricity bills.
And that’s just the start.
🏗️ Jobs, skills, and the next generation
It’s not just about cutting carbon—it’s about boosting the economy too.
“Decarbonisation comes with massive opportunities,” says O’Boyle, “especially for economic growth.”
So far, E.ON has:
✅ Hired five apprentices from underrepresented communities
✅ Launched school workshops on green energy
✅ Started offering work placements for young people
Meanwhile, Coventry Building Society Arena is working with E.ON to make its events and operations more sustainable.
🔥 Leading the UK’s green revolution
Coventry’s automotive, industrial, and creative industries have a major role to play in Britain’s green industrial revolution.
“We’ve got the skills, the businesses, and the people,” says O’Boyle. “We just need to make it happen.”
And other cities are taking notice. E.ON says Coventry could become a blueprint for how the UK hits net zero, proving that going green is good for the planet—and good for people too.
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