Innovation in home decarbonisation is essential for meeting the UK’s climate goals, but innovators can face policy and regulatory hurdles that slow progress. These challenges – such as long approval processes, restrictive regulations, and unclear decision-making structures – can prevent promising solutions from reaching the market, or limit the growth of new start-ups. 

Despite their impact, these barriers often receive little attention, leaving small businesses to navigate them alone. Through this project, Nesta aims to systematically identify and analyse these obstacles, working with affected companies to understand their impact. We will then work with policymakers and regulators to propose clear, practical solutions, helping to ensure that the regulatory environment supports, rather than hinders, innovation in the sector.

Start-ups and innovators often lack the time, resources, or access to decision-makers needed to overcome policy challenges when they arise. Navigating approval processes and adapting to policy frameworks can be complex and time-consuming, particularly for smaller organisations focused on scaling their solutions.

As an organisation with strong connections across industry, government, and innovation networks, Nesta is well-placed to surface these challenges and push for change. We regularly engage with start-ups, investors, and policymakers, giving us a broad view of where systemic issues arise. By using our network to bring these problems to light and work towards solutions, we can help innovators focus on what they do best – developing and delivering the technologies needed for a low-carbon future.

This project will map out the key policy and regulatory barriers that innovators in the sector face, understand their root causes, and develop practical solutions. Our approach includes:

• engaging with innovators – to gather real-world experiences and identify common policy challenges.
• mapping the regulatory landscape – to understand why these barriers exist and how they impact different businesses.
• prioritising key issues – based on their impact and prevalence.
• developing and testing solutions – in collaboration with industry experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• communicating insights and advocating for change – to influence policy and regulatory improvements.

We will use design methodologies – such as user journey mapping and policy prototyping – to help identify barriers and test any solutions, so we can build greater confidence in them before advocating for their implementation.

If you are working in the home decarbonisation sector and have experience of or insights into policy barriers affecting innovators we would love to speak to you. Get in touch with Tom Leach.