We want to gather views on how the transition to low-carbon heat can be scaled up using street-by-street or place-based approaches and what will be required to enable the coordination of local energy planning through to scheme delivery.

We want to build on the work of local area energy plans (LAEP) and local heat and energy efficiency strategies (LHEES) and look at how that work and other current projects may influence wider UK and local governance and improve delivery. 

Register your interest for our co-creation workshop:

• 17 April (13:00-17:00)  –  Cardiff [sbarc|spark] (in-person only)
• 23 April (09:30-13:30)  –  Edinburgh [venue TBC] (in-person only)
• 25 April (10:30-15:00)  –  London [x+why Fivefields] (in-person only)
• 2 May  (10:00-13:00)  –  online

Confirmation of your workshop registration will be sent from 3 April.

We want to test an ambitious approach to the coordinated planning and delivery of low-carbon heat. We’re interested in whether more homes could be offered the chance to switch to low-carbon heat together, on a street-by-street basis, and we want to understand what may be the best way to deliver that. This project will build on the experience of those already involved in the delivery of low-carbon heat and citizens.

We will be co-creating a blueprint highlighting the "behind the scenes" of an early policy note by Nesta. The policy blueprint will visualise the actors, steps and interactions and connect the theory of the policy note to the reality of how it is delivered. Illustrating the interactions that constitute the services being offered, the switch to low-carbon heat, as well as the bodies or individuals critical to the delivery of a policy.

You can read a summary of our initial policy note here. This note discusses policy options which we intend to explore as part of this project and has not been widely tested. We are also looking for people from across the planning and delivery of low-carbon heat to contribute to this project. If you’re interested in attending any of our workshops please register your interest.

We will share an initial policy blueprint which aims to integrate the reality of scheme delivery into a proposed planning system. The workshop will focus on working through this blueprint, critiquing the work so far and proposing refinements to strengthen the proposal. We want those currently or potentially involved in developing local area plans for heat to discuss with those who may deliver any required schemes, to make sure that plans can be actioned. Below are some of the questions we’ll be considering:

Planning considerations

• How well have plans coordinated at a national level and what could be improved? How do we ensure that LAEP and LHEES complement work nationally?
• Broadly, what has worked well during this process? What should we improve? Which lessons apply to wider UK and local governance and/or where might new governance systems be required? 
• How can we ensure the methodology for planning and delivery is iteratively improved?
• If there was a centralised body responsible for the methodology, oversight and supporting of plans, what might this offer? Who should be responsible?

Delivery considerations

• What types of models do local authorities want to explore and potentially apply in their local areas to implement LAEP/LHEES strategies and delivery plans? What aspects of delivering heat are not addressed?
• What learnings and approaches from long-standing systems of delivering area-based energy efficiency and fuel poverty schemes (such as in Scotland) can we apply to delivering low-carbon heat for homeowners who contribute their own cash?
• Has the link between delivery and LAEP/LHEES been adequate? What more does delivery require? What would those responsible for or bidding on delivering schemes like to see? What additional input opportunities may increase effectiveness?

If we can identify a workable delivery model for coordinated switching to low-carbon heat, there will be more scope for delivering this successfully in the UK.  By working with those who may be involved in delivering coordinated planning and delivery of low-carbon heat, we hope to build confidence in the note, while de-risking it and improving the ease with which suggestions could be adopted.

The current approach to transitioning to low-carbon heating is primarily market-led and based on individual choice. Individual homeowners decide whether and when to switch to low-carbon heating in isolation. Businesses develop technologies and services and try to sell them to households. The government provides some incentives and support for low-carbon heating but does not significantly plan or guide the process.

This individual-led approach has problems and risks, which will become more apparent as the transition to low-carbon heating progresses. Nesta has drafted a policy note that argues the UK will need to:

1. do more active planning on low-carbon heating
2. make more use of coordinated approaches to low-carbon heating, such as street-by-street switching and shared infrastructure.

This does not mean abandoning a market approach or individual choice for low-carbon heating but providing a stronger planning framework for them to operate in. In particular, we argue that the principle of securing people’s support is crucial in the transition to low-carbon heat.

This project will work with government, industry stakeholders and citizens to test this note. Co-creating and mapping the note to learn from those who may already be testing and delivering coordinated approaches to low carbon heat, highlighting the areas where new organisations or capabilities may need to be developed and suggesting structures and requirements of these.

We will be using a strategy based on service design principles to develop a detailed visual plan, that we’re calling a policy blueprint.

Phase 1 – February 2024: laying the groundwork, we'll first draft a visual blueprint capturing the policy's implementation journey, identifying key actors and their intricate connections. We will work with those who may be already delivering elements of the blueprint, such as those already preparing local energy plans.

Phase 2 – March 2024: co-creation and refinement, we move from blueprint conception to collaborative enhancement. We'll convene workshops where stakeholders become active participants. Together, we'll identify potential roadblocks and areas requiring deeper exploration. By openly addressing critiques and contentious points, we'll refine the blueprint iteratively.

Phase 3 – April 2024: iterating for impact, drawing on valuable insights from stakeholders, we'll refine the policy note, resulting in a robust V2 of the blueprint and policy note. This iteration will highlight key recommendations for improvement, ensuring the approach is comprehensive and effective. This collaborative process centred on feedback and iteration, aims to deliver a broadly supported policy.

This project will rely on contributions from those involved in the decarbonisation of heat. If you’re interested in contributing, please register your interest using this form.

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please contact Martina Kavan.