All our Net Zero Living insights – in one place

Regen worked alongside more than 50 places and partners as part of the Net Zero Living Programme, exploring how to accelerate action to reach net zero, testing innovative ideas and sharing learning along the way. We provided expert support on net zero planning, policy and regulation, drawing on our deep knowledge of the energy system and long-standing advocacy for a locally led, fast and fair transition.

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Theme 1: Accelerating net zero and strategic energy planning

At Regen, we advocate for an approach to local strategic planning that helps local authorities deliver change more quickly and unlocks investment. Our research captures learnings from the Net Zero Living Programme and identifies opportunities arising from devolution, local government reorganisation and NESO’s Regional Energy Strategic Planning (RESP).

• Investing in Places brings together what places have learnt about strengthening local net zero planning, building investable project pipelines and mobilising finance.
• Maximising the Value of Local Net Zero Planning sets out the Enable, Embed, Enact framework to describe the different roles of local authorities in delivering net zero. By aligning planning efforts with these roles, councils can develop strategies better tailored to their anticipated ambitions, capacity and resources.
• Best Laid Plans discusses how the emerging RESP process offers an opportunity to build on the strengths of existing approaches while addressing their structural challenges. By making better use of the information and outputs from the RESP, local authorities could move towards coordinated, resource efficient, delivery-focused decarbonisation.
• Join the Dots picks up another strand of the Enable, Embed, Enact framework. It explores how local authorities are embedding climate action, rather than treating it as a standalone agenda, by weaving decarbonisation into economic, transport, health and wellbeing strategies.
• Success by Design explores the factors which increase the effectiveness of grant funding for local authorities as they move into delivery, reflecting on the Net Zero Living Programme.

Where next?

We’ll be continuing the conversation on strategic energy planning and related topics in our policy group for Local Authority members. Find out how to join us. We’ll share updates on RESP through our newsletters, and we’re also here to advise on a one-to-one basis about how to get the best out of local energy planning processes.

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Theme 2: Leading the just transition

A strong message cutting across the Net Zero Living Programme was the importance of a just transition and building resilience. However, it is not always clear what this action can or should look like for local authorities.

• Empowering Communities explores three ways to engage and empower communities: bringing people into decision-making, helping people navigate complex choices and spreading the wealth through community-led action.‍
• A Force for Fairness sets out how existing local authority functions can be leveraged to ensure that net zero action supports a just transition. It moves beyond theory to provide a practical framework for action, grounded in case studies from across the UK.‍
• The Missing Link offers a step-by-step methodology to identify community capacity within climate risk assessments, providing a more complete picture of vulnerability and resilience.  This analysis was piloted with Derry & Strabane, Warrington and Southampton councils.‍
• Power of Places: A vision for local energy in the UK draws on extensive research and engagement with stakeholders to show the immense value that local energy provides to people and places, setting out recommendations to realise a thriving local energy future.

Where next?

At Regen, we’re committed to a fairer energy future. We’ll continue to work with local authorities to support the delivery of a just net zero transition through our Just Energy Transition (JET) service. Integrating action-focused just transition engagement, planning, governance and analysis, Regen’s JET service supports local authorities to turn the (often abstract) concept of a just transition into bespoke, practical actions.

As the Local Power Plan moves from ambition to implementation, Regen will be working with GB Energy, local authorities and community energy groups to give more communities a stake in the energy transition. Our insight pages contain an ever-growing wealth of information on supporting community energy and the Local Power Plan, among many other topics.

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Theme 3: Planning as a critical lever for change

The planning system is a critical enabler in the transition to a clean, resilient energy system. Our insights for the Net Zero Living Programme capture some of the challenges and opportunities.

• From Plans to Power assessed almost 300 local plans in England. We found that renewable energy policies are often outdated, inconsistent or overly restrictive, and identified recommendations for MHCLG.
• A Double Win: A guide to integrating clean energy with nature restoration discusses how a joined-up approach can improve outcomes.‍
• Planning for Energy looks at the challenges and solutions to address the skills and resourcing constraints faced by many local planning authorities.

Where next?

Our policy group for the Net Zero Living Programme discussed the implications of planning system changes for clean energy – take a look at the summary.

Local authority planners will also find valuable our DESNZ guidance on assessing renewables technologies and Regen members are welcome to join our planning working group.  

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Theme 4: Tackling retrofit and clean heating

Many places in the Net Zero Living Programme took innovative approaches to help people feel the benefits of new technologies and fabric improvements, and our research highlighted several critical policy issues. 

• ‍Better Warmer Homes brings together insights from the programme to show how local authorities can use their power as convenors, governors and asset managers as powerful tools to accelerate innovative, place-based retrofit.
• ‍Mind the Gap shines a light on the 1.8 million properties, often terraced properties or flats, at risk of falling into the “heat gap” between individual heat pumps and a large-scale heat network, and offers three recommendations.
• ‍Retrofit for Heritage Buildings summarises the opportunities and challenges for older properties and sets out practical solutions to accelerate progress.
• ‍The UK’s Retrofit Workforce for Heat and Fabric Efficiency looks at how local authorities support supply chain growth

 Where next?

Through our Local Energy Tracker, developed as part of the programme, you can track your area’s progress on key energy metrics, including home energy efficiency standards and heat pump updates.

As the government fleshes out the details of the Warm Homes Plan, we’re expecting consultation across a new low-income scheme and DNO involvement in area-based delivery, among others. Get in touch to get your voice heard by government.

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Looking ahead

Through Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme, places have shown what’s possible when ambition meets collaboration and funding unlocks new innovative approaches. At Regen, we've helped share the successes while spotlighting where system and policy changes are needed nationally.

The programme has concluded, but the work is far from over. Regen will continue supporting local authorities through our refreshed membership offer, thought leadership and independent advice. We remain deeply committed to advocating for a fast, fair and locally led transition that puts people and places at the heart of the energy system.

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More insights for local authorities

You can search all of Regen’s Insights for those of relevance to local authorities. To sign up to our occasional newsletter for local authorities and their partners, please email Anna Cuckow.

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‍Join us

We know that action rooted in places is a highly effective way to deliver a cleaner, fairer energy future, and collaboration is vital to enabling this. Explore our membership options to connect with our experts and other local authorities.