Planning, Pipeline and Finance: stimulating local growth
The Net Zero Living Programme tested new approaches to planning and financing that mean councils can attract investment and deliver programmes more rapidly and more successfully.
Turning a vision into tangible investment
Local authorities are uniquely placed to shape a long-term vision for their area and use local insights, assets, and skills to bring that vision to life. But many projects stall because planning is fragmented, pipelines lack definition, and financing is thought about too late in the process. The Net Zero Living programme has been helping councils use new planning frameworks and financing models to translate their vision into viable, investable business cases.
This support has included helping local authorities define a clear delivery role, use data to focus resources where they have most impact, and know how to test feasibility at the scale and pace that investors expect. Here we have collected together insights, case studies, tools, and webinars so other councils can plan projects more effectively and unlock public and private investment to stimulate local market growth.
Insights from the programme
Take a look at our Investing in Places report and supporting webinar which explores how councils can turn their local ambitions into credible propositions that attract investment, at pace and at scale.
Read our blog with insights from a 2025 event where local authorities from the Net Zero Living Programme had the opportunity to present to investors and receive feedback on their approach and projects.
Listen to our Planning, Pipeline, and Finance podcast which shares advice on how to present local plans in a way that funders can understand, assess and invest in.
Read the reports and perspectives
- A Double Win: A guide to integrating clean energy with nature restoration
- Power of Places: A vision for local energy in the UK
- Local authority roles in heat network development
- Preparing for heat network regulations
- Demonstrating Decarbonisation
- The Best Laid Plans: how RESP can allow local governments to focus on what matters
- Investing in Places: Learnings for local net zero planning and attracting investment
- Unlocking Climate Capital: A Business Case Framework for Local Authority Net Zero Projects
- Blended Finance Regional Funds for Net Zero
- Enable Embed Enact: Maximising the Value of Local Net Zero Planning
- From Plans to Power: Strengthening local planning policy on renewables
- Join the Dots: Embedding climate action in local authorities
Discover case studies and impact stories
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Programme
This article is part of Net Zero Living.
A new wave of place-based innovation is transforming UK towns, cities and communities, today. Innovate UK’s £60 million programme is helping local authorities and businesses work together to deliver new solutions that improve local services and open markets for economic growth.