The Carbon Trust has been working with Innovate UK as a Technical Assistance Partner for the Net Zero Living programme since spring 2024. As part of the programme, the Carbon Trust developed a set of expert insights to provide audiences with a deep and clear understanding of a range of topics which have emerged as key themes through the wider programme.
In the Net Zero Living Programme, places across the UK have taken major strides towards achieving their Net Zero ambitions, breaking through numerous non-technological barriers. This has been achieved through more than 50 wide-ranging local and regional projects and a focused approach to knowledge-sharing, capacity building and collaboration between local authorities, communities and businesses all across the UK, taking a place-based approach to help accelerate the transition to Net Zero, across the UK and internationally.
These insights look to provide answers to the 'how' and 'why' of Net Zero planning, rather than just the 'what', in order to support better place-based decision making, problem solving and innovation.
Insights:
How to support community energy in your local area
- This set of two complementary Insights provides local authorities with practical guidance to design a package of support to accelerate and scale-up community energy activities within their local authority area:
- The background information explains what community energy is, why it matters, the 'key ingredients' for successful projects, and the distinct roles local authorities can play. A suite of case studies illustrate the different roles that authorities have played in successful projects, and a list of useful links and tools enable an even greater deep dive into community energy support resources.
- The process guidance provides a pathway for developing a community energy support programme by completing a series of steps. From defining what 'community energy' means, mapping out and engaging with relevant stakeholders, completing an opportunity and gap analysis and then setting to work on defining specific actions and activities.
By working with communities, local authorities can support them in overcoming barriers to success and have greater impact than working alone. Our insights on how to support community energy in your local area provide local authorities with practical guidance to develop a community energy support programme tailored to the local authority’s capacity and appetite and the needs of the local area.
Preparing for heat network regulations: Key considerations for local authorities
- As heat network regulations introduced in the Energy Act 2023 come into force across Great Britain, local authorities involved in heat network delivery and operation need to be aware of their responsibilities and opportunities. Our insight on preparing for heat network regulations supports early planning, risk identification, and cross-departmental coordination for local authorities involved in heat networks. It includes information tailored to specific local authority use cases, supported by case studies, to support readers in identifying the key information relevant to their own context.
Heat network regulations are set to change the way in which heat networks and communal heating systems are operated and managed. It is important that local authorities understand their obligations and the potential opportunities presented by the new regulated system. From owning and operating heat networks and communal heating systems, to being a heat network consumer of a private sector-led heat network, our insight on preparing for heat network regulations: key considerations for local authorities, includes recommended actions for local authorities fulfilling a range of heat network roles.
Local authority roles in heat network development: Early insights and recommendations
- Our second insight on heat networks aims to help local authorities consider their future role in enabling, developing, or coordinating heat networks, particularly in light of anticipated zoning regulations in England and related developments across the UK. To help local authority officers navigate the material, five typical local authority roles are introduced, from early exploration to strategic coordination, with a decision support tool included to help readers identify which role best reflects their current position. Thematic and tailored guidance highlights key roles and recommended actions to ensure local authorities maximise the opportunities for heat networks in their area.
The UK has a target to grow the proportion of heat provided by heat networks from 3% today to 7% in 2035 and to 20% in 2050. Achieving this increase will require engagement from local authorities to ensure local opportunities are maximised. Our insight on local authority roles in heat network development supports local authorities to identify the most appropriate heat network role for them, understand delivery choices, ensure developments are strategically aligned with wider local authority objectives, whilst highlighting additional potential policy changes to keep an eye on!
