Systems change and community building for a net zero future

Last week Urban Foresight hosted the first Futurenoughts gathering of 2024, bringing together leaders from across the UK who are accelerating the transition to net zero.   

Futurenoughts are members of Future Ready, an accelerator programme funded by Innovate UK to support the rapid growth and development of net zero solutions. Urban Foresight is Innovate UK’s lead partner in the delivery of this innovative and ambitious initiative, a key component of Innovate UK’s £60m Net Zero Living programme  

Future Ready is focused on overcoming barriers to the delivery of net zero at scale. This includes: planning, finance, data, business and citizen engagement, policy and regulation.  

The week started with a bootcamp on systems change, an intensive programme of learning and practice for leaders at the initiation stage of their net zero transition. Futurenoughts left the two-day event with a stronger sense of their role as a net zero change agent and how they can influence net zero initiatives within their communities. 

Robyn Lees, Net Zero Innovation and Delivery Officer for Warrington Borough Council commented, “The Bootcamp gave me more confidence to push into challenges and tensions rather than leaning away from them.” 

This gathering was a boost to the Futurenoughts’ learning journey and an opportunity to connect with and learn from local and national leaders in net zero. The Catalyst, at the heart of a national innovation community, provided an inspiring space to collaborate and create.  Our special interest huddles with peers and experts were dynamic discussions focused on addressing the complexities of achieving net zero objectives. 

“This event brought to life the Net Zero Living Programme, offering a brilliant opportunity for cross-project networking, collaboration and insight sharing. We have continued to engage with other members in the week following the event, helping to explore opportunities to strengthen our project but also begin conversations on maximising potential for wider replicability/guidance for other UK local authorities. We look forward to engaging with and learning from more of the cohort at future events and workshops” – Michael Suddens, Senior Carbon Reduction Officer, Leicestershire City Council. 

Urban Foresight is proud to be Innovate UK’s partner in this exciting accelerator for leaders delivering net zero.  It builds on our expertise in net zero programmes, for example, find out about our recent work to Define the UK’s Clean Air Tech sector or our experience developing a Just Transition Plan for the West Kildare region in Ireland.   

More examples of our work in Net Zero can be found here.