This is a guest post by Rebecca Willis, a Green Alliance associate and author of Co-operative Renewable Energy: A guide to this growing sector.

It is part of a series on big ideas to reduce the UK’s environmental impact

My big idea is simple. Give people the chance to buy shares in renewable energy developments near them. Whether it’s a wind farm, an Anaerobic Digestion plant or hydro power, there should be an option for anyone living locally to invest in the scheme, and share in the profits.

It would be a small change, but a very significant one, with the benefits felt far and wide. Read more