Equans UK and Ireland
In recent years, the topic of climate change has often taken centre stage in global discussions. Specifically in the UK, the Government has recognised that 82% of the country’s emissions are ‘within the scope of influence of local authorities’. However, the journey to a sustainable future has seen significant challenges, including funding cuts and policy gaps.
Despite these challenges, pressure grew from local residents and communities, leading to 340 authorities declaring a climate emergency, signalling a renewed commitment to climate action. The need for cohesive policies, adequate funding, and empowered local authorities became evident.
A recent study, led by Innovate UK, suggests a place-based approach to net zero is the key to success. This approach requires only c.30% of the investment of broader, place-agnostic methods but can generate 185% more social impact. There is clear potential for local communities to spearhead change.
Numerous other reports all recognise that local authorities could enable investment into more, joined-up net zero actions if funding were available, and could be accessed to support integrated net zero programmes and projects that operate across place-based systems.
However, local authorities need to prioritise their statutory duties, and balance their budgets, and some think that this means they cannot afford to take on climate change responsibilities. They need to be supported to align spending with net zero and maximise the social impact that can be delivered through the zero-carbon transition.
All this points towards the need for systems thinking to drive sustainable regeneration in our places. Led by local authorities as the legitimisers of action, they need to be supported by trusted partners to help maximise the amount of social impact that can delivered while delivering the energy transition that is needed.
As the market leader in sustainable regeneration, Equans continues to see the acceleration of our activity to achieve the UKs net zero commitment, by working in partnership with local authorities, central government, academia and the private sector.
We are at the forefront of supporting local communities to reduce the environmental damage that is being caused, while addressing other critical community issues such as fuel poverty, housing quality and social cohesion.
We deliver climate mitigation and adaption solutions across the whole energy system; from the built environment, to transport to the energy infrastructure itself, while maximising social impact and the availability of private sector capital.
No single organisation can solve the climate emergency we find ourselves in – but by businesses working collaboratively with government, communities, and academia, the problem can be tackled and overcome together. We firmly believe that the energy transition is the number one opportunity the UK has to make our communities flourish once again.
Ben Simcock, is Strategic development director at Equans UK and Ireland
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