The value of participation
This report explores the potential economic impact of public participation outputs from our work with Local Authorities and their residents to make Net Zero deliver for their place. Delivered under Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme in partnership with Involve, Ipsos, Forum for the Future and Quantum Strategy and Technology.
Exploring the potential economic impact of public participation as part of the Net Zero Living Programme
Involve and Forum for the Future explored the relationship between public participation and economic activity in the context of place-based net-zero transitions, using the Five Capitals model as an analytical framework.
This was done by evaluating how recommendations generated through citizen engagement processes, within the Net Zero Living programme, may contribute to long term economic value by strengthening underlying economic assets.
What the report explores
The analysis draws on desk research and secondary analysis of a dataset comprising 193 recommendations generated through 13 citizen engagement processes.
Note: Participants were not asked to consider economic impacts explicitly. Instead, the research infers economic implications through systematic analysis of the recommendations themselves.
Key findings
Our analysis reveals that citizen-led climate recommendations could support significant, measurable economic impact:
- 74% of public recommendations would directly increase one of the five capitals
- 70% of public recommendations have clear implications for job opportunities if implemented.
- 23% of recommendations have a potential implication for private business activity if implemented.
The research surfaces three strategic insights for policymakers, local authorities and participatory practitioners aiming to secure sustainable growth and improve local financial wellbeing:
- An analysis of economic impact: by providing a structured methodology
- Strategic alignment: demonstrates how citizen led recommendations could contribute to Local Growth Plans
- Demonstrates added value: Shows that public recommendations support high-quality, cost-effective policy design.
Related programme
Net Zero Living
A new wave of place-based innovation is transforming UK towns, cities and communities. Innovate UK has been helping local authorities and businesses work together to deliver new solutions that improve local services and open markets for economic growth.