Event Roundup: Overcoming Barriers to Local Net Zero Implementation

On 18 June, techUK hosted a webinar exploring how to overcome the key barriers facing local net zero implementation. Building on insights from our earlier session on the role of technology in local net zero plans, this follow-up focused on four enablers: funding models, skills pipelines, enabling policy frameworks, and strategic collaboration between sectors.

This session is part of techUK’s Local Net Zero workstream, co-led between our Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions programmes. The workstream will culminate in a report later this year that outlines how tech and digital tools can accelerate local net zero delivery.

Speakers

The Role of Local Government

Cllr Emily O’Brien, speaking on behalf of the Local Government Association, emphasised the fundamental importance of local delivery in achieving national net zero targets. Local authorities, she explained, are closest to communities and best positioned to design and implement climate solutions that reflect local context and needs.

However, she also pointed to the significant challenges that councils face in fulfilling this role – including an uncertain policy environment, fragmented and short-term funding, a lack of delivery capacity, and inconsistent careers guidance for green jobs.

For instance, she discussed the Green Jobs Framework developed by the LGA, calling for better data sharing across government levels and place-based alignment of funding, qualifications, and training

She also raised ongoing barriers to green skills development, including fragmented funding, a lack of training capacity, and inconsistent careers advice. Emily spotlighted successful initiatives such as:

Financing Local Net Zero

Bethany Carter Ottens from the National Wealth Fund introduced its role in financing the UK’s clean growth and energy transition. The NWF has £27.8 billion investment capacity. It can provide loans to local authorities and help crowd-in private investment through a mix of equity, debt, and guarantees.

Beth explained that local net zero projects are often challenging to finance due to their scale, long payback periods, and complex risk profiles. To overcome these barriers, the fund offers a free advisory service for local authorities to help develop investable projects, structure deals, and assess commercial viability.

She outlined key investment principles that guide the fund’s decision-making, including: alignment with strategic objectives, capital intensity, a pathway to financial return and the ability to crowd-in additional private sector financing.

Beth also spoke about the growing potential of English devolution deals to empower local areas through integrated funding settlements. However, she cautioned that local authorities still face significant capacity gaps in developing and scaling projects, suggesting that a stronger central-local partnership is needed to bridge this divide.

Tech Sector’s Role and Skills Gaps

Deepak Malhotra from Infosys Consulting provided a private sector perspective on the role of technology and systems integration in enabling net zero outcomes. Infosys supports clients in the utilities sector to digitise operations and embed sustainable practices.

Deepak stressed the importance of place-driven net zero initiatives and the opportunity to do things differently through collaboration between local authorities, technology providers, and residents. He identified a key enabler as digital and data skills, noting that many councils lack the internal capacity to design and deliver tech-enabled climate projects. Deepak stressed the need to upskill local authorities in areas such as data analytics, cyber resilience and digital project management.

Beyond technical skills, Deepak pointed to the need for clear accountability structures, both within local government and in cross-sector partnerships. Success, he argued, depends not only on funding and technology, but on sustained collaboration, clarity of roles, and the willingness to share learning across regions.

He concluded by highlighting that not all climate action requires major capital expenditure. Often, small process changes and better coordination between departments can deliver meaningful emissions reductions. Local authorities are uniquely placed to convene stakeholders, foster innovation, and ensure that net zero plans are not just aspirational – but achievable.

Looking Ahead

This session reinforced that delivering net zero at the local level is both a challenge and an opportunity. While systemic barriers remain, particularly around financing, skills, and governance, there is a growing appetite among stakeholders to co-create solutions and scale what works.

As the Local Net Zero Workstream continues, techUK will be gathering more evidence and case studies to shape our final report. If your organisation is working on local climate delivery, digital transformation, or skills, we would love to hear from you.

Stay connected with the programme by contacting [email protected] or [email protected], and keep an eye out for future events and publications.

Climate, Environment and Sustainability Programme activities

The techUK Climate Programme provides opportunities for members to present tech solutions that assist carbon emission reduction, circularity, and human rights goals. We also help our members with their own net zero transition, including measurement, implementation, compliance, and reporting. Visit the programme page here.