Net zero transitions
Updates from the wider world of net zero
Innovate UK Connections
DESNZ LOCAL NET ZERO ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME
Delivered by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub (GSENZH) on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Local Net Zero Accelerator (LNZA) programme aims to help local authorities unlock private investment to speed up their net zero delivery. The programme includes three pilots: two driving investment in green energy, housing and transport projects in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority, and a third project in York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority that will aim to replicate the Bristol City Leap project, which secured millions in investment in the city’s energy system.
Finance Support Service & Dynamic Purchasing System
As part of the LNZA, GSENZH is creating a new Finance Support Service and a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). The Finance Support Service will provide advice and support to the LNZA combined authorities, as well as producing resources and training materials. The Hub will work closely with Future Ready to compliment their work and coordinate on research topics and resource development. The DPS will be essential in providing advisory services to local authorities to enable net zero investment – including financial, legal, procurement and similar services.
While priority access will be available to the LNZA Combined Authorities, Future Ready participants will also be able to use the DPS in the next 12 – 18 months to complement existing Net Zero Living support. It will launch on 29th July, and be available to use from late September 2024. Further updates and materials from the programme so far will be shared shortly!
FINANCE FOR NET ZERO
In December 2023, Innovate UK launched guidance for local authorities providing them with the key tools they’ll need to develop commercially-attractive business propositions and compelling funding and delivery models that can unlock private investment in their local net zero projects. Read the report here.
NET ZERO HEAT
The Innovate UK Net Zero Heat programme is working to give 30 million buildings across the UK access to net zero space heating with hot water by 2050, with benefit to UK businesses and the wider economy. This programme is currently funding 16 projects:
Eight projects are honing technology to indicate characteristics and performance of real buildings, to inform decisions that can be tested during and after implementation.
Four projects are using data from buildings and systems to create heat and power decarbonisation pathways across portfolios of buildings. Data collected post-intervention will verify the decisions made to enable better decision-making in future iterations.
Four projects in the latest competition are looking to streamline the whole retrofit process, creating packages that will simplify decarbonisation for various stakeholders. Three of these projects got underway in the spring.
Sign up to the Net Zero Heat newsletter here to receive direct updates about the programme.
CLIMATE RELAY 2024: 6 JUNE - 3 JULY
Running Out of Time
Members of our Future Ready Community were amongst over 20,000 participants who completed the Running Out of Time Climate Relay, carrying the baton 2,436km from Ben Nevis to Big Ben. Read more about the event here.
News
Heat
Why I stopped saying Fabric First: The former leader of igloo Regeneration, and director of Climatise and Future Fit Homes discusses a radical shift in thinking regarding carbon and the approach to retrofit.
Energy
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero unveil plans to lead a new Mission Control tasked with delivering clean power by 2030.
Agriculture and food
The European Commission explore the potential of establishing an EU Emissions Trading System for Agriculture.
Business engagement
The Improvement Service and the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) have partnered with Swedish technology company ClimateView to deliver the Scottish Climate Intelligence Service (SCIS). Read here about how the SCIS will support Scotland’s local authorities with their approach to the climate transition.
Innovation
The University Of Strathclyde Launches Pioneering Institute For Sustainable Communities.
Funding
Under the government’s new plans, the National Wealth Fund will align the UK Investment Bank and British Business Bank to invest in the new industries of the future.
Reports
The State of Global Air 2024 report highlights the effects of air pollution amongst children, the bidirectional relationship between air pollution and climate change and health impacts of exposure to common air pollutants.