Local Net Zero 2.0: The Moment to Deliver
UK100's most comprehensive assessment of local authorities' capacity to drive the energy transition and housing transformation. It underscores the urgent need for reform in the face of climate change and energy security challenges.
The challenge in numbers
- Buildings account for around 17% of the UK's emissions, making it the second-largest source
- By 2050, 29 million homes will need to be retrofitted, with costs potentially reaching £35,000 per property
- Electricity demand is projected to increase by 64% by 2035 to meet Net Zero targets
- The UK has one of longest queues to connect to the electricity grid in Europe, with projects stuck in gridlock for up to 15 years
The report argues these figures represent not just statistics, but a critical call for immediate and coordinated action.
Pioneering local authorities
From energy planning to housing retrofits, the report showcases innovative UK100 member councils leading the charge on local Net Zero delivery, including:
- Greater Manchester's comprehensive Local Area Energy Plan across its 10 boroughs
- Waltham Forest Council's pilot scheme offering interest-free loans for home energy efficiency projects
- Bath and North East Somerset's adoption of a local planning policy ensuring new homes are built to Net Zero standards
"Broken system" barriers to action
However, Local Net Zero 2.0 concludes these pioneering efforts are exceptions, with local authorities' Net Zero ambitions too often hampered by limited funding, policy inconsistencies, and a lack of long-term strategic planning.
The report cautions that the new government must provide a consistent policy framework, long-term investment, and improved national-local collaboration to empower local leadership in driving the clean energy transition and housing transformation.
Recommendations
Local Net Zero 2.0 through extensive research and engagement with over 50 local authorities across the UK. It builds on previous reports and sets out a blueprint for the government to back local leadership on Net Zero delivery.
The report calls for:
- Consistency for Net Zero: Implement a national framework for Local Area Energy Planning and zero carbon building standards
- Priority for Net Zero: Reform the National Planning Policy Framework to prioritize Net Zero in planning decisions
- Funding for Net Zero: Reform local authority funding away from short-term competitive pots towards multi-year place-based grants
- Coordination for Net Zero: Establish a cross-departmental Local Net Zero Delivery Authority to coordinate delivery and define roles
More specifically, it recommends the following:
- Planning and Housing Policy:
- Ensure the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation prioritises Net Zero in all planning decisions
- Align the government's 1.5 million new homes target with Net Zero goals through the NPPF reforms
- Empower local planning authorities to prioritise the Climate Change Act over developer viability
- Energy Transition:
- Ensure the Clean Energy Mission and Great British Energy prioritise local authority involvement in energy planning and renewable deployment
- Implement a national framework for Local Area Energy Planning with dedicated funding from Great British Energy
- Remove planning barriers for renewables through NPPF reforms, whilst ensuring community benefit
- Housing Transformation:
- Rapidly implement the Future Homes Standard with a zero carbon buildings standard at its core
- Reform social housing retrofit funds to catalyse sector-wide transformation
- Devolution and Local Powers:
- Use the English Devolution Bill to empower local authorities with clear climate action mandates and resources
- Develop a statutory Net Zero duty for local authorities with necessary powers and funding
- Establish a cross-departmental Local Net Zero Delivery Authority to coordinate national-local delivery
- Funding Reform:
- Shift from competitive, short-term funding pots to multi-year, place-based grants
- Ensure the National Wealth Fund and Green Prosperity Plan support local Net Zero initiatives
- Skills and Workforce Development:
- Task Skills England with prioritising the development of Net Zero construction and retrofit skills
- Ensure the Green Prosperity Plan outlines specific measures for housing sector skills and job creation
These recommendations aim to leverage new government initiatives, proposed legislation, and ongoing consultations to empower local authorities in driving Britain's clean energy transition and housing transformation.
