UKREiiF, now in its third year, has firmly established itself as the premier UK event for real estate investment. It’s a far cry from Cannes, of course, but arguably it’s more real with a greater focus on place. The barges in and around the Royal Armouries aren’t quite the billionaire yachts of the Mediterranean, but they’re more colourful and reflect an industrial history from which we are still learning lessons.

The Need for a New Green Industrial Revolution

One of those lessons is about a new green industrial revolution. Unlike its 19th-century counterpart, the effects and impacts need to be better managed in a way that creates jobs and business growth, builds more sustainable and resilient communities, and drives investment in infrastructure and technology. This modern revolution prioritises environmental sustainability alongside economic progress, ensuring that the growth we achieve today does not compromise the well-being of future generations.

3Ci’s Role at UKREiiF

It’s refreshing, therefore, that Net Zero and the environment continue to be central to the UKREiiF agenda. Taking advantage of this, 3Ci (Cities Commission for Climate Investment) contributed to a range of panels and showcased its activities within the CPC pavilion on Wednesday afternoon.

Highlighting Key Panels and Discussions

One of the standout moments was a stellar panel chaired by Catherine McGuinness CBE, which delved into the recommendations from her Net Zero Investment Task Force. The findings from this task force, released in the House of Lords back in February, emphasise the critical role of cities in driving the net zero agenda. The panel featured prominent city leaders such as Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow. Both, huge advocates of 3Ci, were clear that the biggest impediment to their cities securing the transition focused on the skills needed to bring investable propositions forward for private sector investment.

Engaging Investors with Dragon’s Den Style Events

Following this insightful panel, 3Ci hosted two “Dragon’s Den” style events where cities presented their Net Zero Neighbourhoods projects to a panel of investors. Cities like Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow, and Hounslow showcased their innovative plans, aiming to create sustainable and resilient urban areas. The investors, or “dragons,” responded enthusiastically, expressing interest in further discussions at the upcoming London Climate Action Week. This event, scheduled for the end of June, will see 3Ci collaborating with NatWest on a city investment event, fostering deeper connections and potential investments. Enabling place-Based Net Zero Event

Winning the Sustainability Award

From a ‘walk the talk’ perspective, I was happy to see that the CPC pavilion was given a Sustainability Champion Award at UKREiiF! Our pavilion was celebrated for its innovative practices, which include designing reusable exhibition stands to minimise waste, using digital tools to replace traditional paper-based materials, employing local materials and suppliers to reduce carbon footprints, and implementing energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources. This accolade is a testament to our dedication to sustainable practices and innovation, setting a new standard for sustainability at large-scale events.

As I headed home on the train, mulling over the whirlwind of the past three days, the conversations from various panels and pavilions stuck with me. The overwhelming positivity resonates deeply, but with a resolute focus on action and moving forward. It’s clear that the collective effort of the entire team has been monumental, and I am immensely proud to be part of such a dedicated group. Together, we are not just part of an event; we are driving meaningful change and shaping the future we envision.

Tracing the trajectory of 3Ci reveals a journey marked by organic growth and collective ambition, rooted in a shared vision of sustainable urban development. 

From modest beginnings, 3Ci has cultivated strategic partnerships with influential entities like the M10 Leadership Group, Scottish Cities Alliance, and Key Cities, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared purpose. 

With quiet determination, 3Ci emerged onto the global stage, making its presence felt at prestigious events such as COP26, COP27, and COP28. Amidst the clamor of these gatherings, 3Ci effectively championed the cause of sustainability and climate action. 

Fueling progress through impactful initiatives, 3Ci orchestrated a series of regional investment events, which laid the groundwork for transformative projects that resonate with communities across the UK. 

Through its insightful reports and practical guidance, 3Ci has empowered local authorities and stakeholders, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of sustainable urban development. 

Amidst this journey, 3Ci’s commitment to catalysing change remains steadfast, reflected in initiatives like the National Net Zero Project Pipeline and the 3Ci Net Zero Investment Taskforce. These initiatives effectively drive innovation and investment towards a more sustainable future. 

As 3Ci continues to grow and evolve, its resolute dedication to fostering sustainable urban development inspires communities and stakeholders to join hands in building a better tomorrow, one step at a time. We will focus on positioning UK cities and regions at the forefront of global initiatives to secure essential funding for achieving Net Zero. 

Our Mission: Supporting Local Authorities in Achieving Net Zero 

At the heart of 3Ci’s journey lies a profound mission: to support local authorities in securing the necessary long-term finance for achieving net zero. Our place-based experience and ability to convene government and financial institutions make us perfectly placed to help deliver that investment. By fostering collaboration among public and private stakeholders, we aim to surmount obstacles related to finance, scale, and capacity. Our goal is to cultivate an environment conducive to directing private investment into cities and regions, thereby accelerating progress towards Net Zero. 

Advancing Financial Models through the Net Zero Neighbourhood Pipeline 

Furthermore, in line with our mission, 3Ci is shifting its focus towards developing specific projects in the Net Zero Neighbourhood Pipeline and advancing the financial models that will evolve through this endeavor. This strategic move underscores our commitment to translating discussions into concrete actions, driving tangible progress towards a sustainable future. As we embark on this next phase of our journey, 3Ci remains steadfast in its commitment to championing change, fostering collaboration, and driving sustainable urban development across the UK and beyond. Join us in shaping a future where sustainability is not just a goal but a reality for generations to come. 

3Ci’s Net Zero Investment Taskforce, Comprising Finance Industry Leaders, launch a New Report into ‘Net Zero Neighbourhoods’ at the House of Lords.
Report finds support for large-scale private sector investment in Net-Zero Neighbourhoods.

19.03.24, LONDON, 3Ci – The Cities Commission for Climate Investment – has today published the initial findings and recommendations of its Net Zero Investment Taskforce. The report, titled ‘From Challenge to Opportunity: Unlocking a UK-wide Net Zero Investment Dividend’, was unveiled at an event in the House of Lords.

The Taskforce, comprising a diverse array of stakeholders from banking, insurance, pensions, venture capital, and ESG investment sectors, was convened to examine 3Ci’s innovative financing model for Net Zero Neighbourhoods, with a primary focus on unlocking funding for housing retrofit initiatives.

The Net Zero Neighbourhoods concept takes a multi asset approach to neighbourhood decarbonisation operating across domestic and commercial property retrofit; renewable energy; transport; and waste. The model uses a share of returns from high-yield assets, like energy, to pump-prime low-performing ones, like retrofit and waste, potentially captured in a single financial vehicle. The model aims to reduce the need for the scale of public subsidy required for retrofit whilst delivering interventions at no additional upfront cost to the homeowner or tenant – a potential game-changer.

The Taskforce highlighted that strategic public investment can leverage private finance. They suggest further consideration should be given to integrating existing and future public investment with private finance, including grant funding. From an investor perspective, major patient investors like pension and insurance companies, whose capital is in some ways most suited to retrofit, are attracted to very large-scale projects, the likes of which most current schemes cannot achieve. Creating scale across multiple programmes and geographies could unlock this capital.

The much sought-after solution to retrofit financing of crowding-in higher levels of private investment could therefore be realised through the ‘Net Zero Neighbourhoods’ model. Investors agreed that local authorities must play a central role in Net Zero Neighbourhoods by linking to area regeneration plans and services, supporting local jobs and economic growth.

Catherine McGuinness CBE, Chair of the 3Ci Net Zero Investment Taskforce and Non-Executive Director at Connected Places Catapult, said:

“Our findings reaffirm that decarbonising neighbourhoods at scale is not straightforward. Whilst our aim may be to retrofit homes, we are also trying to retrofit a financial system and its models to a purpose for which they were not created. A rapid evolution is required, creating an investment ecosystem that will help the market to adapt and new models to emerge.” 

Prof Greg Clark CBE, Chair of 3Ci and Connected places Catapult said:

“3Ci has a vital mission to enable the urban investment required in delivering the UK’s ambitious net zero commitment, city by city, and neighbourhood by neighbourhood. I am grateful to Catherine and the members of this taskforce for taking such a diligent view of the current opportunities and challenges to invest in retrofit at scale, and how we can address them.”   

The Taskforce’s recommendations include the following:
Activate Retrofit Demonstrators as a top priority: a series of demonstrators are needed to address the challenges highlighted by this Taskforce, considering how they can also enable a Just Transition through financing models and identify the key project elements/players that need to be on board.

Convene a UK-wide conversation, starting with a Net Zero Investment Summit: with a commitment to a structured 2–3-year dialogue, steered by a collective of place leadership, investors and politicians from the Devolved Administrations as well as the UK government, alongside the many agencies delivering excellent work in this space to cohere findings and efforts.

A stronger enabling environment should be built for net zero investment, including further clarity of national intent for local net zero policy to establish market confidence.  For example, delivery cannot happen without a stronger supply chain, which relies on such confidence.

Taskforce members:
Association of British Insurers
Investment Delivery Forum
City of London Corporation
Barclays
Big Society Capital
Building Societies Association

British Property Federation

British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA)

HSBC

Impact Investing Institute

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

Legal & General (L&G)

Local Government Association (LGA)

Lloyds Banking Group

NatWest

Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB)

United Kingdom Infrastructure Bank (UKIB)

UK Finance

-ENDS- Notes to editors Media contact: Alex Smith, PR and Marcomms Manager, Connected Places Catapult alex.smith@cp.catapult.org.uk +44 (0) 7741 195398 Any conclusions drawn in this report are those of 3Ci alone.  

About 3Ci

3Ci – Cities Commission for Climate Investment (formerly known as UKCCIC) – is a partnership between Connected Places Catapult, Core Cities UK, London Councils, Key Cities, Scottish Cities Alliance and supported by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Local Government Association. Our aim is to ensure that urban investment plays a key role in delivering the UK’s ambitious net zero commitment, city by city and neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Our initiatives bring together business, finance and local communities to accelerate change through innovation that is fair to all. Alongside this, we are supporting local authorities to secure the necessary long-term finance to achieve net zero.   3ci.org.uk

About Connected Places Catapult

Connected Places Catapult is the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership. We provide impartial ‘innovation as a service’ for public bodies, businesses, and infrastructure providers to catalyse step-change improvements in the way people live, work and travel.  We connect businesses and public sector leaders to cutting-edge research to spark innovation and grow new markets. We run technology demonstrators and SME accelerators to scale new solutions that drive growth, spread prosperity, and reduce carbon emissions. cp.catapult.org.uk

So, COP28 finally delivered. Nobody got everything they wanted, they never do, but there was just enough to give us hope. At one point things appeared more than a little desperate. The final deal on the phasing out of fossil fuels IS a major step forward. The final texts are far from perfect, and the lobbyists came in their droves, but lobbyists only turn up when they are scared. 

There is still a lot of work to do. We need renewed effort to crack the financial challenges. Our current financial systems mean that for capital to flow we need projects of investable credibility with risk adjusted returns that provide opportunities for profit, but at borrowing rates which cites can actually afford. 

An inability to break through this barrier will result in all those Hollywood dystopian scenarios becoming true; collapse of global agriculture and food systems; mass migration from drought ridden regions; subsequent rise of populist far right governments; increased conflicts around the world and the subsequent collapse of organised civic society. However, there’s a Wall of Sound coming out of COP28, the collective voice of city mayors, who will of course be on the frontline in dealing with these climate impacts. 

Cities cannot do this on their own however, governments must play their role, pledging commitment to the right policies and programmes that enable cities to get on with the complex aspects of delivery. There is a sense however, that the trust between central and local government across the world has been eroded and needs rebuilding. Cities are the powerhouses of green growth and if governments can give them the right policy instruments, they can unleash the huge social and economic dividends on offer.  

This is why it’s been pleasing to hear the growing momentum around the role of cities and mobilising private finance at COP, some of the themes emerging included; 

• The first Local Climate Action Summit hosted by Bloomberg and the COP28 UAE Presidency, the Urbanisation Ministerial for a second year running and the launch of CHAMP – Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships. These welcome initiatives included a focus on mobilising public and private sector investment into cities. 
• A significant ramping up of the number of activities convening investors and cities with a growing appetite amongst the former to forge early stage engagement and meaningful partnerships with cities, including agreement to develop an investment blueprint based on Govanhill in Glasgow. 
• Recognition that investment also needs to be made on the social side of the just transition not just physical infrastructure in order that citizens benefit through increased jobs and skills. 
• Increased demand for proven examples of local climate action from cities that demonstrate successful collaborative partnerships with investors, including Bristol’s City Leap 
• Growing interest from the UK and internationally in the 3Ci model for convening cities and investors around development finance, including its deployment through the Urban SDG on Finance. 

All of this provides a platform for 3Ci to continue developing its pioneering approach, one that convenes city leaders and investors to unlock the barriers that hold back the flow of capital; 

• Firstly, developing new innovative financial models grounded in place that allows for the deployment of blended financial models. The launch of our Net Zero Investment Prospectus and the work of our Net Zero Investment Task Force will help create a network of credible investable neighbourhoods. 
• Secondly, aggregating projects to provide scale provides investors with a greater rate of return, which is why we have developed the National Net Zero Project Pipeline and our work on developing sub-regional approaches, including that in South Yorkshire 
• Thirdly, our work to design and establish a technical assistance facility that allows local authorities to access the right mix of support to enable them to develop more robust investable propositions. 

There is much to look forward to in 2024 and 3Ci already has an exciting array of events and initiatives planned. We will further strengthen our city relationships and grow our networks with investors, because the battle against climate change will ultimately be won or lost on the streets of cities. 

Two major new initiatives to help accelerate the net zero transition were announced on 29 June as 3Ci – the Cities Commission for Climate Investment – hosted a London Regional Investor Event at the headquarters of Connected Places Catapult. 

First was the launch of a 3Ci publication advocating the case for a National Net Zero Neighbourhoods Programme and a Call for Proposals from local authorities to submit projects looking for investment into the programme. 

A second initiative unveiled to delegates was the launch of a Green Finance Fund from the Mayor of London, where up to £500 million will be lent to projects that focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transport. 

Eligible organisations offered favourable borrowing will include local authorities and social housing providers, and grants are available for small size projects up to £75 million. The Fund was announced by Greater London Authority’s Assistant Director for Environment and Energy, Catherine Barber. 

Professor Greg Clark CBE, Chair of 3Ci and Connected Places Catapult welcomed London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment & Energy, Shirley Rodrigues to the stage to speak about The Mayor’s vision for achieving net zero in London. 

“Cities have to move fast with this agenda, but they are delivering,” she said. 

The event took place in London Climate Action Week, during which a large countdown clock was placed in Piccadilly Circus to remind people there are just over six years left in order to balance greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent global heating exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. 

Shirley Rodrigues added there is a “huge challenge” ahead for professionals involved in promoting net zero initiatives, adding that it was “great to be here” at the London Regional Investor Event to discuss opportunities with interested parties. 

The Deputy Mayor was joined on stage by Cllr Georgia Gould, the Leader of Camden Council and Chair of London Councils which represents 33 boroughs including the City of London. “One area where we have come together incredibly strongly is in our shared commitment to taking action on the climate crisis,” she said. 

“The work we have done with 3Ci shows huge investment is required to get us to net zero. But there is also a massive opportunity around jobs; ensuring there are the skills required around green finance, retrofit and new ways of working.” 

Georgia added that many boroughs have large housing stocks and a “massive ambition” to make them more sustainable, but that capacity and finance are often lacking. “The job of bringing those two together is a challenge, but is also a massive opportunity and that is why the work of 3Ci is so exciting: building and deepening the relationship between private finance and projects on the ground. 

“The prize is enormous and there has never a better moment to do this. Residents are facing a cost of living crisis and there is a huge desire from citizens to see change.” 

Financers give their thoughts 

In a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style, local authorities pitched their net zero projects and identified opportunities for investment during a series of breakout sessions. Investors then gave their responses on how to make the projects more investible and advice on financing models. 

Later at the event, Greg Clark was in conversation with HSBC’s UK Head of Climate Change, Tim Lord. Greg asked Tim why investors and financiers should consider local government, cities and the public sector as great places to invest if they want to achieve net zero outcomes. 

“There is a huge willingness to invest,” replied Tim, who added that “the lens has changed from ‘we should do this to hit targets’ or ‘it is the right thing to do’, to something that is much more existential about the future of an organisation and how you drive growth.” 

Cities are where the transition to net zero is likely to progress most quickly, he added, but in some cases, there can be quite high levels of risk for consumers or financial organisations. There is a need, therefore, to work with public sector organisations to help de-risk some of those investments to get them moving. 

Tim said another challenge is around scale. “We need to be confident the scale is coming, so that we can invest in the people and skills and types of financial investment models that we need.” But the backing of the public sector and the coming together of national, regional and local governments “is really important to give the financial services industry the confidence to do that”.  

Greg Clark turned to KPMG’s Director of ESG for Financial Services, Graham Smith and asked for his views on the public sector’s role in the net zero transition. 

Graham replied that city projects often have “a political push” but also need “people at different levels to make it happen”. Organisations need champions, he explained. “Every project has bumps in the road and so you need local government to remove those bumps. Getting all levels of a city working together to tackle this is really important.”  

Greg then asked for thoughts on the potential of sustainable financial returns for capital in net zero projects, and how they compare to other investment opportunities or asset classes. 

“Green money is just like brown money,” replied Graham. “It has to be repaid and give a return on capital, and it has to have a project behind it that works. A sustainable project that fails within the first six months or a year because it cannot generate return or cash flow; that project has no sustainable value. 

“Returns are important, but most important of all is for cities and local authorities to understand that lenders and investors look at the world in a different way,” he added.

Concluding remarks 

Wrapping up proceedings, the Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville remarked that there was a “palpable sense of buzz” at the event among participants “in trying to meet climate challenges”. 

Good work has been achieved by 3Ci in delivering a net zero pipeline, he added. “This is a unique UK wide partnership with London helping to lead the way.  

“Now it is about taking reflections from today and having the courage to start to experiment with the pipeline and talk to investors to see how we can move from a pipeline to a deliverable programme of work.” 

Catherine Barber remarked: “The 3Ci / Catapult model offers the chance to get together, learn and solve problems; that is what I really enjoyed today.” 

Following the event, Greg Clark said that the day “enabled us to have a conversation that is not otherwise possible almost anywhere in the world. 

“We focused on combining the value of the place with the logic of capital so that local government and city-wide government with pension funds, insurance companies, bankers and financial advisors can grasp the important task of investing in a liveable planet.” 

29.06.23, LONDON, 3Ci – the Cities Commission for Climate Investment – has published today its new report advocating the case for a National Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme.

Developed by 3Ci with support from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the public and private sectors, this comprehensive report provides an outline business case for the delivery of Net Zero Neighbourhoods across the UK.

3Ci is a partnership between Connected Places Catapult, Core Cities UK, London Councils, Key Cities, Scottish Cities Alliance and supported by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Local Government Association.

Net Zero Neighbourhoods is a new concept that integrates local net zero projects into attractive investment propositions by creating scale and long-term certainty for investors, thereby joining up the different types of assets that are important to decarbonisation. This includes transforming transportation, energy, housing and waste services in a coordinated way, using a blended finance model capable of attracting capital from banks, pension funds and other institutional investors. Importantly, 3Ci’s proposals include a programme of technical assistance and capacity building to ensure projects are of investment grade.

3Ci’s Net Zero Neighbourhood model has a special focus on residential retrofit, one of the biggest sources of emissions in the UK. Here, a core problem is that every neighbourhood has a different mix of housing types and tenures, which makes collective investments needed to decarbonise neighbouring homes difficult. Evidence shows it is also unlikely that most homeowners will pay toward retrofit, increasing the need for public subsidy.

But the new approach can address residential retrofit at no cost to the homeowner or tenant and reduce the need for public subsidy from around 70-80% to 35%. It does this by creating a revenue stream from energy savings over the long-term which is attractive to capital investors, blending their contributions with smaller amounts of public subsidy in an investment vehicle. The model also allows for a saving to be passed to the householder, or used to target fuel poverty, helping a just transition to net zero.

3Ci has calculated the cost of achieving local net zero at over £200 billion just for London and the 11 UK Core Cities – for the whole of the UK that figure is closer to £1 trillion, a figure way beyond the ability of public finances to address. Without bringing private capital into local net zero projects the UK will fail to meet its decarbonisation targets, and it is exactly this gap which 3Ci is designed to fill. 3Ci’s model aims to turn the cost of net zero into an opportunity, to bring significant additional investment, jobs and green growth to UK plc, delivering local environmental and health benefits, alongside community wealth-building.

Local authorities have projects which can deliver net zero and the investment community has demonstrated a growing interest in financing them, but too often these projects are not of investment grade. 3Ci’s approach therefore also offers technical assistance and capacity building to improve the standard of projects, alongside a platform to bring investors and project owners together.

Recognising these needs, opportunities and challenges, 3Ci’s new report makes the case for a multi-asset approach that avoids only cherry-picking projects that make the biggest returns, reduces the need for public subsidy and has no cost for the householder, improving the chances of community buy-in.

The report recommends a national programme of Net Zero Neighbourhood demonstrators to provide proof of concept, creating market and investor confidence.

Prof Greg Clark CBE, Chair of 3Ci and Connected Places Catapult, said: “The Net Zero Neighbourhood has several advantages over other methods of decarbonising places. It creates scale, certainty and an investable revenue stream, whilst building capacity for local authorities and enabling community buy in. Without the approach that 3Ci has developed, both within this model and its wider work, the UK will be far less likely to attract the capital needed to achieve its net zero ambitions.”

He adds that 3Ci has set up a Net Zero Investment Task Force of private investors, is creating a Net Zero Neighbourhood Community of Practice, and developing a ‘pitch-book’ of projects, bringing together places and projects that are either developing schemes which have some of the features of a Net Zero Neighbourhood, or have the ambition to do so.

“Nowhere yet has the ability to undertake a full Net Zero Neighbourhood project however, so our goal is to also set up full demonstrators capable of testing this model. The prize will be a major shift in investor appetite for net zero, shifting the market fundamentally toward this type of model, mitigating the existential threat of climate change whilst creating local jobs and other benefits. This is an area where the UK can be truly world leading, and we must now focus together on realising this opportunity.”

As a next step, 3Ci is seeking local authorities that are interested in working with them to develop demonstrators of the Net Zero Neighbourhoods concept. Local authorities have until 5^th July to register their interest.

3Ci is looking for projects to be included in a new National Net Zero Neighbourhoods Programme, which will support and raise the profile of pilot schemes looking for local investment. This is a non-competitive process.

Net Zero Neighbourhoods is a place-based concept developed by 3Ci which aims to increase local prosperity through enhanced growth in green businesses and access to associated jobs. It also looks to create vibrant and cohesive communities through engagement and collaborative design, and enhance the attractiveness and quality of neighbourhoods.

Further information regarding submitting proposals for a Net Zero Neighbourhood will be provided in a workshop on Wednesday 5 July at 9.30am

Proposals accepted will be incorporated into a UK Net Zero Neighbourhood ‘pitchbook’ to be shared across Government departments and potential investors forming the basis of a potential first wave of a national programme, subject to funding being secured.

Successful schemes are set to be profiled and presented at COP28 in Dubai, as well as other national and international investment focused events. They will also be shared with the private finance community including institutional investors, investment banks and pension and sovereign wealth funds.

Proposals should form part of an existing or planned redevelopment scheme and local authorities are invited to submit single proposals that will contribute towards proving the concept of the Net Zero Neighbourhood model.

Proposals should:

• Demonstrate understanding of the place-based Net Zero Neighbourhood model and how it could be applied within the proposal
• Include a description and identification of location, including information on building type and mix (e.g. residential, office, leisure), physical infrastructure (including mobility and energy), diversity of the neighbourhood, green and blue space.
• Provide evidence of political support at a senior level
• Identify any secured or potential funding which might contribute towards the design or delivery of the programme.
• Describe the diversity and socio-economic mix of the communities within the proposed neighbourhood

Registration of Interest

Please register your interest by submitting the name of the local authority and a contact person to Helena.Downey@cp.catapult.org.uk

You will then receive a confirmation email, an invitation to join the webinar and a copy of the Executive Summary of our Outline Business Case for Net Zero Neighbourhoods.

Interested authorities will then be invited to submit a short application by 8 September 2023.

Public Servants and Climate Change: Reaching Net Zero will support local authority colleagues to overcome the challenges to transitioning to net zero. Foundations of Delivery will enable learners to enhance delivery and performance measurement. The courses are fully funded by 3Ci.

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Via this partnership, learners can expect a world-class education experience that is backed by the latest research and expertise. These courses provide an excellent opportunity to upskill your knowledge on net zero strategy and play a critical role in achieving our national net zero targets. 

We invite you to apply for our courses based on your potential to make a positive impact in your community. Places are limited.  

Public Servants and Climate Change: Reaching Net Zero (10 places) 

Co-developed with Apolitical, Oxford Net Zero and Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (SSEE) at the University of Oxford, this course provides a comprehensive overview of net zero, including its challenges and exploring how to promote the transition to net zero. In this course, you’ll explore the science underpinning net zero and engage with policies designed to reach it.  

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Evaluate and critique a climate change memo to more clearly and comprehensively explain the science of climate change. 
• Investigate and analyse a climate action plan. 
• Evaluate the role of public servants in driving net zero. 

Estimated learning time: 10 hours  

Dates: 29 May 2023 – 1 July 2023 

Apply by 5 May 2023.

Foundations of delivery (10 places) 

Co-developed with expert partner Delivery Associates, this course focuses on delivery and related performance measurement. This course will support you in understanding of the fundamental principles and processes which underpin delivery in government, such as prioritising goals, assessing organisational capacity, developing and managing effective implementation plans, and cultivating a culture of delivery. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Examine key factors required to build a foundation for delivery 
• Understand the delivery challenge 
• Plan for delivery 
• Develop routines to drive delivery 
• Learn how to manage stakeholder relationships during the delivery process 

Estimated learning time: 11 hours 

Dates: 29 May 2023 – 1 July 2023 

Apply by 5 May 2023.

The criteria for selection for the courses will be based on ensuring regional representation and relevance to the applicant’s day-to-day job. No prior qualifications are required.  

These courses are 3Ci’s first offering to upskill local authorities in net zero strategy, and they will inform greater work from 3Ci to accelerate capacity building and skills development to deliver net zero commitments. Contact us to find out more about how 3Ci can support your transition to net zero.