Jack Raven is the project manager for Net Zero Leiston, a one-of-a-kind project aimed at turning the small Suffolk town carbon neutral. Here he describes the journey so far
When did the idea for Net Zero Leiston come about and what is the thinking behind it?
The idea for NZL first arose in early 2020 and was a reaction to the government’s commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2050. Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council both had declared climate emergencies in the latter part of 2019. However, in terms of plans for Leiston, the town council weren’t sure how they could contribute and what it meant for them. Conversations with the Sizewell C project and their network in the Net Zero space developed into the Net Zero Leiston project. The goal of the project was to develop an open-source, replicable plan to Net Zero which could help Leiston understand its role and help other communities reach Net Zero. The plan, also known as the ‘route map’ has been produced by a host of expert consultancies and Sizewell C and is publicly available through the Net Zero Leiston project.
When did Net Zero Leiston launch and who is involved in the project?
The project formally launched in the summer of 2020 which is when the wider community in Leiston first heard about its aims. The project is led by a steering group including Leiston Town Council, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council. The route map and relevant expertise is provided by Sizewell C EDF, Atkins, Opergy, Ikigai, Energy Systems Catapult and Carbone 4, with expert support also provided by University of East Anglia and University of Suffolk.
How has it been received in the town? Is there anywhere else in Suffolk doing a project like this, as far as you know?
There has been a lot of positive interest in the project from local residents and local businesses, with many people understanding the goal and how to get in contact. However, there is still a long way to go to increasing awareness of the project and getting the community involved, as well as educating on climate related topics. There are other community action projects ongoing around Suffolk, and councils taking their responsibility of climate action seriously. “Greener Fram” is a project based in Framlingham which has been operating for over a decade, for example. However, the replicable route map element of the Net Zero Leiston and the thorough analysis undertaken is thought to be a first of a kind in Suffolk and the rest of the UK.
How can people get involved?
We have a website and social media where the community can get in contact and offer support and provide feedback. We also have a number of events and pilot schemes that we want the community to engage with. For example, at the moment we are promoting the funding that has been secured for free insulation measures to eligible homes in Leiston. This is a great way for households to reduce their energy use, reduce bills and cut carbon.
How achievable are the carbon neutral goals and is there a time frame?
All climate plans are ambitious as they rely on several external factors to come to fruition, including government interventions. Despite this, the Net Zero Leiston plan is very granular and sets a clear target for the steps required to get to Net Zero, so helps everyone clearly understand the challenge, which sometimes is a large part of the battle.
Any plans for the future?
We are continuing to promote the project, raise awareness of the schemes and attract funding for new projects. The project will be actively engaged in the upcoming masterplan for Leiston, which will ensure green principles are at the heart of the decision making.
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