A place-based approach to the Net Zero Five Year Plan 2026-31
To make the most of this opportunity, our second Five Year Plan will be based on a strategy of electrification. That is, energy demand currently met by fossil fuels, such as gas boilers and petrol cars, will largely need to be replaced with electric alternatives. However, simply setting targets for the levels of net zero technology required in the West Midlands economy by 2031 or 2041 will be insufficient.
Our work so far has shown that a place-based approach to net zero, taking into account the unique characteristics of neighbourhoods, districts, zones or campuses, results in a more cost-effective, faster transition to net zero that also has the potential to deliver far greater co-benefits. For instance, retrofitting homes with energy efficiency measures as part of the Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme can improve air quality and health outcomes for residents as well as cutting energy costs and reducing carbon; encouraging 15-minute neighbourhoods with more sustainable travel options can improve public health; supporting the circular economy will stimulate green and inclusive economic growth. As such, our second Five Year Plan will need to take a spatial, whole-systems view of the West Midlands economy.
We will undertake a comprehensive engagement process as we develop the second Five Year Plan. Working with our constituent local authorities, we will harmonise the existing plans that they have developed for their own boroughs to build a fair and consistent regional framework. In addition, we will need to consult widely with stakeholders as we determine the priority areas for decarbonisation and ensure that businesses in hard-todecarbonise sectors, such as ceramics manufacturing, do not bear the costs unfairly.
We will ensure that our plan for the net zero transition considers resilience implications too. Climate change that is already ‘locked in’ by historic emissions will cause average temperatures to rise further and extreme weather events to occur more frequently. Our plan will reflect these expected changes and ensure that our actions to prevent additional climate change are also appropriate for a warmer world and are resilient to future extreme events. For example, retrofitting homes with energy efficiency measures will need to be delivered in such a way that provides comfortably cool homes in the summer as well as comfortable warmth in the winter.
The UK’s Climate Change Committee found that as things stand local and combined authorities have limited direct influence over carbon emissions. Successful delivery of net zero requires comprehensive partnership work between the WMCA, local authorities, national government, the private sector and local communities. Our second Five Year Plan needs to reflect the level of influence we have and set goals accordingly that enable us to monitor progress with accurate, transparent data.
Outcomes:
Over the coming ten years we will prioritise our collective efforts to:
- Reduce our regional energy demand through investment in smarter energy systems and place-based approaches to achieving net zero.
- Enhance our resilience to future changes cause by climate change that is now unavoidable.
Questions
20) Do you agree our proposed approach to developing the second West Midlands Net Zero Five Year Plan?