Delivering the heat transition at scale
www.nesta.org.uk/feature/a-policy-library-for-decarbonising-home-heating/delivering-the-heat-transition-at-scale/
www.nesta.org.uk/feature/a-policy-library-for-decarbonising-home-heating/delivering-the-heat-transition-at-scale/
Putting in place the institutions and people needed to deliver the heat transition on the ground
The transition to low-carbon heating will be complicated and interact with many other issues, from the electricity grid to local planning systems. We think this indicates more state capacity will be necessary to deliver it and coordinate how the transition to low-carbon heating plays out. As part of this, we think there is merit in taking a more coordinated approach in some places, with streets or neighbourhoods switching to low-carbon heating together.
Households and communities will also need advice and support, and we need organisations that can provide that. Therefore, the UK will need a new institutional structure to ensure the heat transition can happen at a rapid pace without leaving anyone behind.
Delve into our latest work on delivering the heat transition at scale below, or return to the main page to explore our other policy areas.
Could we switch to low-carbon heating alongside our neighbours? Our work has tested the scope for upgrading homes on a street-by-street basis and is developing a policy framework to enable us to do this at scale.
The project aims to pioneer a coordinated approach to transitioning homes to low-carbon heating across streets. Building on existing initiatives, it seeks to co-create a detailed policy blueprint, mapping interactions and stakeholders critical to ensure its successful implementation.
The report investigates the distribution of government grants among English local authorities for home decarbonisation. Two-thirds of these authorities secured funding, with significant disparities observed across regions; the East Midlands received the most grants, while the North West received the fewest. Interestingly, funding allocation did not consistently correlate with fuel poverty levels or energy efficiency ratings. The findings underscore a need for more sustainable funding models to support strategic decarbonisation efforts by local authorities.
How can we get people more involved in decisions about climate change? The Centre for Collective Intelligence Design at Nesta has developed some novel approaches to citizen participation in climate change.
Highlighting recommendations from the UK Climate Change Committee and independent reviews, the report advocates for a robust public engagement strategy on climate change. Divided into four parts, it argues for the necessity of public participation in shaping effective climate policy. It outlines practical approaches to enhance democratic legitimacy and trust, proposing innovative models for integrating citizen perspectives into national decision-making processes.
The report explores the outcomes of The Strategy Room, a pioneering digital tool designed to foster community engagement in crafting local net-zero policies. Findings highlight robust public support for community-focused policies, varying preferences across regions, and significant boosts in policy acceptance following deliberation. The Strategy Room has the potential to democratise climate policy by amplifying diverse voices and enhancing local buy-in for sustainable change.
