Implementing effective and just net zero policies

This project seeks to generate practical insights about how to improve multi-level governance for net zero across the UK and in England in particular.  The research approach looks to integrate different disciplines and different societal actors to arrive at practical insights and policy pathways to unlock the capabilities of local authorities, businesses, and others to realise progress towards net zero locally. Their research has encompassed a wide range of activities:

• A grey literature synthesis seeking to understand the role that national net zero policymaking plays in the practice of attaining net zero delivery at a local level
• A comparative evaluation of climate action plans across two city regions – West of England and West Yorkshire Combined Authorities – to interrogate the translation of national strategy into local delivery, resourcing, and capabilities
• One-to-one interviews with practitioners and policymakers
• Two place-based workshops in Leeds and Bristol
• Working with a group of artists to create a game with and for practitioners to solve place-based net zero scenarios collaboratively, informed by the findings

The project is led by a multi-disciplinary SHAPE research team to draw insights from a range of disciplines, including policy studies, law, geography, sociology, and science and technology studies. The team consists of:

• Principal Investigator:
  • Dr Colin Nolden, Energy Institute, Management School, University of Sheffield
• Co-Investigators:
  • Dr Jake Barnes, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
  • Professor Morag McDermont, School of Law, University of Bristol and Centre for Sociodigital Futures, University of Bristol
• Research Assistant and Project Manager:
  • Esme McMillan, University of Bristol

Local, place-based governance for net zero

Policy Brief: Empower local action on net zero with a national framework

Translating national net zero policy into local implementation

Translating national net zero policy into local implementation: a UK case study

The Live Model is a collaborative game based on the research findings and designed to empower people to act to achieve net zero. The researchers summarise what the game is as follows:

How can you work together to deliver progress? What challenges might you experience? What opportunities lie in getting it right?

The aim is to solve a place-based net zero scenario collaboratively whilst navigating a set of governance challenges informed by the research, in particular the grey literature synthesis and comparative evaluation.

The game is built around a simple insight: that organising to deliver net zero is as important as organising the delivery of net zero but the distinction is often not recognised. The former is often forgotten in a rush to do the latter. Whilst the urgency of the climate emergency demands accelerating delivery, thinking about organising to deliver foregrounds critical but often neglected aspects of achieving change. This includes foundational work required to unlock and guide action and the development of place-based visions for net zero that respond to situated needs and aspirations.

The game is intended for practitioners in the net zero space, rather than the general public. The game can be used within one organisation – for example, a team within a council or a community group – or between teams and organisations, for instance at a local net zero forum with representatives from local government, the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, local businesses, etc. Having a variety of participants is useful for generating discussion.

• Dr Colin Nolden: [email protected]
• Professor Morag McDermont: [email protected]
• Dr Jake Barnes: [email protected]