Organisations from across Cumbria have joined a campaign for the government to do more for renewable energy.

Over 80 organisations are part of a campaign being orchestrated by the Green Alliance, to call on the chancellor of the exchequer to back renewable energy in the region.

The organisations involved include communities investing in small-scale renewable projects, business groups, faith groups, and nature conservation organisations.

A statement released by the group said: “The future we want is one with clean air, healthy people and resilient communities.

“To make this vision real, the 2016 Budget must enable us to develop and grow renewables for our region into the 2020s. The UK government should be celebrating clean energy as core to its economic plan.

“To cherish what we love about our region and reassert our place in the forefront of the world’s economy, we ask the Chancellor to back clean energy for the North.”

In Cumbria, the signatories are: Brampton and Beyond Energy Ltd; Community Energy Cumbria; Cumbria Action for Sustainability; Energy4All; Sustainable Energy Eden and Sustainable Keswick

Phil Davies, director at Community Energy Cumbria Ltd, said that the recent flooding had highlighted the need for green energy.

Mr Davies said: “With Cumbria experiencing three major flood events in the last decade and with the rural economy struggling, it has been heartening to witness so many Cumbrian residents willing to invest their money and passion in community renewable energy projects.

“While local procurement has undoubtedly benefitted Cumbrian businesses, the distribution of profits back into communities has begun a renaissance in true sustainability.

“We really need the Government to acknowledge that supporting community renewable energy represents the perfect vehicle for job creation, social well-being and environmental common sense. Surely this is what we all want a northern powerhouse to deliver.” Renewables are the most popular energy source in the UK. According to government statistics, 78 per cent of the public support them, with only four per cent against.

Already, the North of England has enough solar PV to power half a million homes, enough onshore wind capacity to power one million homes, and enough offshore wind capacity to power 1.5 million homes.