Workshop to challenge our arguments and ensure their accuracy for policy recommendations

Much is asserted about the potential for UK local governments to accelerate development of clean energy and achievement of climate protection goals, but little is known about their current actions on energy or their capacity to do more.

On 21 June, Jan Webb, Dave Hawkey and Mags Tingey presented a snapshot of research findings on Local Engagement in UK Energy Systems at the Energy Systems Catapult. Around 20 delegates from Local and UK Governments, Local Energy Partnerships, UK Energy Research Centre, Energy Systems Catapult, Energy Technologies Institute, and UK 100 were invited to challenge our arguments, as a way to ensure their accuracy and to sharpen up our policy recommendations for local leadership for clean energy.

The workshop focused on two aspects of findings from 40 case studies of Local Authority energy initiatives:

Local engagement in clean energy is a critical topic for society, and needs new policy and more research. Our research shows that local ambitions are considerable and there are already highly diverse and impressive achievements, with energy saving and low carbon heat as key areas. Uncertainties over the future of energy policy and local government finances is however slowing down projects, instead of facilitating the step change needed to meet climate commitments.

The workshop discussions will help shape the final project report published in the autumn.

Thanks to the Energy Systems Catapult https://es.catapult.org.uk/ for hosting us in Birmingham.

Local Authorities and Energy Investments: Challenging Research?

Working Paper – Local energy businesses in the United Kingdom: clusters and localism determinants based on financial ratios
participants, financial ratios, and estimates of localism

Fabian Fuentes Gonzalez, Janette Webb, Maria Sharmina, Matthew Hannon, Timothy Braunholtz-Speight and Dimitrios Pappas ( 2021 )

Working paper

Infographic – Net zero localities: ambition & value in UK local authority investment

Margaret Tingey and Janette Webb ( 2020 )

Poster

Working Paper: Characterising a local energy business sector in the United Kingdom
participants, revenue sources, and estimates of localism and smartness

Fabian Fuentes Gonzalez, Janette Webb, Maria Sharmina, Matthew Hannon, Dimitrios Pappas and Margaret Tingey ( 2020 )

Working paper
What We Know about Local Authority Engagement in UK Energy Systems

What We Know about Local Authority Engagement in UK Energy Systems November 2017

Report launch and policy workshop, London