UTILITY WEEK | MAY 2021 |
5
KNOWLEDGE WORTH KEEPING
Subscribers to Utility Week can access
premium content and exclusive research at
the Download section of our website.
http://www.utilityweek.co.uk
Decarbonisation
begins at home
Boasting of green ambitions is fast becoming a prerequisite in political doorstep-
ping, with politicians across the spectrum keen to cite their eco credentials.
At the last count, 75 per cent of local authorities across the UK have declared
a climate emergency and pledged to draw up action plans setting out how they
will • ght climate change at a local level.
However, there is increasing concern about whether councils actually have
the skills and resources to develop credible roadmaps to decarbonisation and
whether they are receiving the support to ensure their ambitions keep step with
national pathways.
As David Blackman sets out in his analysis on p18-19, many councils lack
the basic levers to turn their admirable ambitions into practical policy. This is
especially true of overstretched authorities in poorer areas whose budgets sim-
ply can't accommodate dedicated teams for decarbonisation. There are fears this
could lead to a "postcode lottery" of action on climate change and a staggered
approach to decarbonisation based on means rather than need.
There is also a concern that local climate change policy is not always being
compiled with input from utilities. As Randolph Brazier of the Energy Networks
Association points out in our analysis, all too o‰ en networks • nd out about
projects at "the 11th hour".
The utilities sector as a whole has made great strides in its approach to
stakeholder engagement, particularly around the price controls. But is there a
need for a new approach that aligns more closely with local needs? As regional
monopolies with years of experience in mitigating the impacts of climate
change, utilities are in a unique position to play a pivotal role in supporting
their communities to do the same.
This approach has obvious bene• ts in terms of giving councils access to the
information and the skills needed to develop robust plans. However, investment
mechanisms will also be needed to help them achieve their ambitions. Ulti-
mately this comes down to having a coordinated national framework that sup-
ports local pathways and presents a connected pipeline of opportunities across
the country to give con• dence to investors.
The Energy Systems Catapult has called for a consistent net zero planning
framework for local authorities to allow them to develop their own plans. This a
sensible step but utilities must be involved in the process every step of the way.
The expertise and the data within the sector will be valuable catalysts to shaping
plans across the country.
With COP26 around the corner, it is important to repeat the message that
while climate change is a global threat, the • ght against it will take place in all
of our backyards.
James Wallin, editor, jameswallin@fav-house.com
Meet the Editorial Team
Utility Week provides unrivalled news,
insight and impact analysis, private
networking and live events on key
areas including policy and regulation,
vulnerable customers and operational
excellence. Learn how Utility Week
membership can build confi dence in
your team's decision making - speak to
our membership team today on
e: jonikiforov@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332077
Content director: Jane Gray,
e: janegray@fav-house.com,
t: 01342 333004
Editor:
James Wallin,
e: jameswallin@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332015
Intelligence editor:
Denise Chevin, e: denisechevin@
fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332087
Energy editor:
Tom Grimwood,
e: tomgrimwood@fav-house.com;
t: t: 01342 332061
Senior reporter:
Adam John
e: adamjohn@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332069
Water correspondent:
Ruth Williams,
e: ruthwilliams@fav-house.com,
t: 01342 332069
Policy correspondent:
David Blackman,
e: davidblackman@fav-house.com
Letter from the Editor
James Wallin
Verint:
No going back: the pandemic year
that shook up utility customer
services
https://bit.ly/3r26Wx8
COEUS:
How IT can help energy companies
meet their net zero targets
https://bit.ly/3ftTTRa
Vision:
How to fi x megaprojects (and all
capital projects that matter)
https://bit.ly/3qzY2Ha
COEUS
