Net zero funding for vulnerable communities announced
The Transmission Net Zero Fund has been launched by SP Energy Networks in a bid to ensure those at risk of being left behind by economic decarbonisation are not excluded.
In total, £5million is being made available to any community organisation in ‘SP Transmission areas across Central and Southern Scotland that need either financial support or guidance on transition technologies, processes and schemes. Improvements to heating systems, electrification of transport, and energy efficiency improvements can all be facilitated through the fund.
Administered through a partnership between SP Energy Networks and Energy Saving Trust, the scheme was introduced at a special Net Zero Day held at Dumfries and Galloway College. Local pupils were asked to imagine what a low or no carbon future might look like, and were educated on the realities and potential of associated technologies.
Those considering applying can find full details of eligibility criteria and submit expressions of interest here.
‘SP Energy Networks is at the heart of Scotland achieving Net Zero. Our electricity network will provide the essential energy that our communities will need to participate in the transition to Net Zero and to fully realise the benefits that it will bring,’ said Scott Mathieson, Network Planning and Regulation Director at SP Energy Networks.
‘Reaching Net Zero will take a collective effort from us all, and we need to ensure that everyone has the right support in place to achieve their local ambitions,’ he continued. ‘The £5 million Net Zero Fund builds upon what we achieved with our communities through our £20 million Green Economy fund. Our new fund is focused on helping those most vulnerable in our communities accelerate their decarbonisation plans, ensuring that no one is left behind on the journey to net zero.’
Economic inequality is widely considered a hidden threat to net zero transition. In April, Environment Journal took a look at the relationship between UK Government pledges to ‘level up’ the country’s regions and decarbonisation and green industries. Organisations include the Climate Change Committee and ADEPT expressed the importance of retraining and reskilling to avoid a repeat of the 1980s, when entire communities were left out of economic transition leading to the so-called economic ‘lost generation’.
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Net zero investment could be key to realising levelling up agenda
Image: SP Energy