Gateshead

Gateshead is building trust, skills and investment so that 15,000 homes benefit from low-carbon heating.

Gateshead Council is proving that delivering low-carbon heat is as much about building trust and skills as pipes and pumps. As it expands its award-winning district energy network to connect 15,000 homes, the council is acting on three fronts to make the transition work for local people.

With support from psychologists and communications experts at Northumbria University, it’s finding new ways to improve trust, understanding and confidence among residents, so more people benefit from warmer homes and lower bills.

It’s also streamlining the legal and financial processes that large-scale heat networks need to move faster; helping councils work more efficiently with suppliers and unlocking up to £250m in private investment.

At the same time, the council is mapping skills gaps and working with training providers to ensure local people can benefit from the new jobs that will be created.

Find out more

If you are interested in learning how to transform your community, town or city, then read the Unlocking Climate Capital: A Business Case Framework for Local Authority Net Zero Projects report. If you would like to speak to someone about this project, contact the Net Zero Living team.