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Innovate UK has awarded £2 million to 31 feasibility studies to develop innovative ways to overcome barriers to net zero, as part of Innovate UK’s £60 million Net Zero Living programme.
In this first phase of the programme, 31 projects will focus on overcoming ‘non-technical’ or social systemic barriers such as financing, governance, regulation, and engagement. Projects range from examples such as decarbonising transport, housing retrofit, and local energy planning. Following completion of these 31 feasibility studies, the projects will be invited to a potential second phase which will fund up to 6 places, £5m each to demonstrate some of the outputs from Phase 1.
One example is in rural North Wales, in the small towns of Blaenau Ffestiniog and Bethesda, which face unique challenges related to their geography and demographics in transitioning to low carbon power and transport models. The project will develop a plan, working with local universities and young people to design low carbon solutions including an e-bike and electric vehicle network, and to create new business models for hydro, solar, wind and heat networks. As part of a community heat plan, the project will train local people to develop community heat companies which will be powered by renewables. It will also create a network of ‘green handypersons’ to help households install basic energy efficiency measures.
Another study given the funding go-ahead is the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Project CAMPOS. This project aims to solve the issue of access to funding for local net zero solutions.
It will analyse a wide range of net zero interventions: from warm, energy efficient homes and low carbon heating, to low carbon mobility, neighbourhood regeneration and enhanced green spaces. It will then demand test these with a group of potential funders, liability holders and communities, making sure that outcomes not only match funder expectations, but continue to meet the needs of local communities.
Innovate UK’s Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero, said:
Working with our partners in government, we are taking bold steps towards achieving Net Zero and Levelling Up our communities. The funding for these feasibility studies in 31 places across all corners of the UK is a strong indication of our commitment to creating a sustainable, greener and more equitable future for everyone.”
Many of the solutions needed to reach Net Zero are starting to become available, but making it happen isn’t easy. Local authorities have a key role to play in addressing up to 30% of our carbon emissions, and even more through their influence on planning and policy decisions.”
It is so exciting to see this work begin because of the huge potential it has to make a real impact for our communities. We’re eager to see the results of the feasibility studies and take the most promising projects to the next stage.
