Mission Net Zero
Bristol City Council’s Lunch & Learn recap
With Bristol City Council, Energy Systems Catapult and Regen
Overview
The recent “Mission Net Zero” (MNZ) lunch and learn event, hosted by Bristol City Council, brought together local authorities and select partners to discuss the project’s journey to date – specifically the workstream of the MNZ project that is focused on turning regional energy plans for the West of England into investable project pipelines.
Recognising that several local authorities are facing similar challenges when it comes to developing and particularly delivering energy plans locally, the event focused on how Bristol identified and specified its needs for this project, and the process that the authority has undergone to procure support to deliver the project.
Materials like the project specs, timelines and procurement materials can be provided if any local authorities want to explore how to articulate similar asks within their own.
To get in touch with Bristol to ask any further questions, please email:
Matt Jones, Bristol City Council
Emily White, Bristol City Council
Project Timeline and Procurement Process
The session detailed the project’s timeline, from initial planning to the current demonstrator phase. Key points and advice included:
- Focus on upskilling and building knowledge in the start up and discovery phases of the work.
- Bristol added an Expression of Interest (EOI) stage and an open market day for gathering insights and networking which it found to be beneficial.
- Speak with people who have undertaken LAEPs and users of digital tools rather than just the consultants and software providers
- Where possible draw on independent specialist advice and learning from other local authorities – Bristol was able to use the Technical Assistance Providers support from the Net Zero Living programme to support its procurement process.
Energy planning and digital tools
Energy Systems Catapult discussed some of the key findings from its needs analysis on energy planning for the Mission Net Zero project. Key recommendations included:
Clear Outcomes
Clearly define and communicate the scope of the energy plans to ensure all partners have a shared understanding of the energy plan’s goals and avoid different interpretations across partners
Data Prioritisation
Focusing on the most relevant data to avoid unnecessary complexity. Integrating health and social care within local net zero
Baselining Exercise
To understand the current landscape in more detail