Net zero transitions
Updates from the wider world of net zero
Innovate UK Connections
NET ZERO TOOLS & PLATFORMS
On behalf of Innovate UK, the Future Ready team at Urban Foresight have been on a fact-finding mission:
- Understand the landscape of net zero platforms available to local authorities
- Explore the characteristics that make a platform useful and why
- Examine if these platforms could be channels for disseminating Future Ready materials to a wider number of local authorities across the UK
We asked: what would the perfect net zero platform look like for you?
Do you have additional thoughts on the platforms you use and why they work for your local authority? We would love to hear from you! Please send your thoughts to future.ready@urbanforesight.org
We will be sharing our insights at Blackpool and hope to continue the discussion then.
DESNZ NET ZERHO HUBS
Local Net Zero Hubs – Making Net Zero Projects Happen
Created by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in 2018, the five Local Net Zero Hubs provide free strategic and technical support to local authorities, public sector organisations, and community groups in England to develop net zero projects. The Hubs take net zero projects from the earliest stages of feasibility to investment and delivery.
Spotlight on North West Hub support
Solar Together Liverpool City Region and the Hub have been accelerating the 'Solar Together' programme which aims to encourage solar PV and battery storage across the region. The programme is a group-buying scheme targeted at those who are 'able to pay' and reduces average installation costs by 26%. A total of 1,185 homes registered interest in the scheme at the back end of 2022. As of April, 460 installations have been completed.
Driving Net Zero Outcomes with Procurement Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems
The Midlands Net Zero Hub has worked with partners to create a comprehensive toolkit that sets out how you can develop a successful tenant engagement strategy for your domestic retrofit projects. It aims to support local authorities, housing providers, and trusted delivery partners to deliver effective engagement throughout their retrofit schemes.
Latest opportunity
PSDS is now open and your local net zero hub can help you with:
- Application checking: Ensuring accuracy and compliance with scheme requirements.
- Evidence provision: Assisting in gathering and organising the necessary documentation for the application.
- Specific advice: Offering guidance specific to each organisation's needs, ensuring their projects align with funding criteria.
- Deadline management: Helping organisations to meet the submission deadline of 25th November
DSIT & DBT WEBINAR
12:00 – 13:30 / 19 November 2024 / Online
Data in the Industrial Strategy – An opportunity to feed in views
Join KPMG to hear the latest from officials from the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology and the Department for Business & Trade, including from the Industrial Strategy Unit, and to provide ideas relating to data’s potential role. There will also be the chance to ask DBT and DSIT questions about their work on the industrial strategy.
This webinar will focus on how the UK government can best use data, to support the delivery of the industrial strategy through:
- Using public sector data as a driver of growth
- Empowering individuals and businesses with their data
- Improving data maturity in businesses, to help them to do more with data.
News
Heat
England’s first-ever heat network zones have been announced across six towns and cities. See how the heating innovation pilot is supporting businesses and building owners by providing low-cost, low-carbon heating here.
Plans have also been unveiled by DESNZ and Aecom for the UK’s largest heat-network, which could support buildings in Westminster to save up to 92% of their carbon emissions compared to current levels.
Energy
The new Labour government have announced the Clean Power 2030 plan, which will aim to deliver clean power across the UK by 2030. Read more from NESO here.
Funding has been confirmed for sites in Teesside and Merseyside to launch the UK’s first carbon capture clusters. These groundbreaking sites will create thousands of jobs across the regions, opportunities for private investment, and will accelerate the UKs transition to net zero. Read more here.
Agriculture and food
In partnership with Arla and Müller, Tesco have announced a new initiative that aims to reduce carbon emissions from dairy farming by 30% by 2030.
Business engagement
Interested in hearing from leading businesses in climate-smart agriculture? Join this online webinar to learn about the winning Innovate UK Climate Smart Agriculture competition projects and learn about the innovative agriculture research happening around the globe.
Innovation
Electric wallpaper is being trialled in tenement properties across Glasgow in the quest for a clean heat source alternative to central heating.
Funding and Investment
Read here on what the UK autumn budget 2024 means for EV’s, clean-energy investment and more.
Reports
The House of Commons Library have added a research briefing on the UK’s plans and progress to reach net zero by 2050.
3ci Cities have published a report on The path to net zero: three steps for effective community engagement.