I started my career in the 1990s representing the UK in international negotiations on biodiversity and helping produce the first ever national climate change action plan. So, in 2019, when councillors from all parties in Leeds declared a ‘climate emergency,’ voting to accelerate action to achieve net zero, I immediately recognised the scale of the challenge. Since then, climate mitigation and adaptation has been at the forefront of the work that we undertake.
With 30% of greenhouse gas emission reductions relying on local authority involvement in projects such as home insulation, decarbonising local transport and generating more renewable energy, Councils and Combined Authorities are critical to delivering on net zero. And there is strong commitment from these organisations to play their role. However, during this time of financial challenge, there are significant hurdles to overcome. Success will require sustained vision and leadership from local authorities; sufficient resources; access to commercial, technical, project management; and, of course, financial expertise.
Using Leeds as an example - ‘Zero Carbon’ sits as one of the three pillars of our Best City Ambition. We’re committed, not only as a council, but as a wider city, to reaching net zero and we’re making great strides. Leeds’ annual greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 38% since 2005, and the Council’s own carbon footprint has shrunk by nearly two-thirds (63%) over a similar period. However, as a local authority we do not have full control over the city’s emissions, and this is where partnership with the private sector is key to realising our collective ambition to reach net zero, and where we, and others, can benefit from the UKIB’s expertise and funding support.
We’re fortunate that throughout the years, Leeds has had very strong partnerships with the private sector, of which we are immensely proud. Now more than ever, it is these public-private collaborations - the combination of private sector commercial know-how and local authorities’ knowledge and understanding of the needs of local communities - that can speed-up the delivery of schemes and empower local authorities to meet their ambitious targets to help the nation on its journey to net zero.
The UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) is unique in the support it can provide. Sitting at the intersect between Government and the private sector, the Bank is distinct in its ability to help nurture and facilitate “win-win solutions.” It is the only public sector organisation able to offer such comprehensive support in the existing landscape, whether an authority needs to crowd-in private finance, needs support in delivering private sector-led projects, or needs advice on identifying how to maximise the value of partnerships with the private sector.
Additionally, the UKIB offers the cheapest cost of financing for local authorities and greater flexibility on important details such as payment terms. It can flex its financing to suit the needs of individual projects and make them more investable for private finance. This makes the UKIB one of the most valuable sources of support and guidance a local authority can turn to realise their full potential in helping the nation get to net zero.
I am incredibly proud of the work that we are doing throughout our city, working in partnership with private sector and the UKIB. A prime example of this is Leeds PIPES, a £62million district heat network project delivered by Leeds City Council in partnership with Vital Energi and UKIB’s advisory service to deliver heat and hot water that is affordable, reliable, and low carbon. Almost 2,000 residential properties have now been connected to the network, along with many civic buildings including Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Museum in addition to key public sector stakeholders such as Leeds Beckett University and St James’ Hospital. In 2023/24 alone, the network of insulated underground pipes supplied 29,000 megawatt-hours of heating and helped reduce the city’s carbon footprint by 5,945 tonnes of carbon.
This partnership has been key to delivering one of the city’s flagship schemes and it is only set to continue. It would be remiss of me too not to mention the opportunities within green skills this has provided as well, having helped to employ more than 430 people – including 36 apprentices - within the local low carbon sector.
The challenge for local authorities is complex and the solution is far from simple. Without collaboration and support from the private sector, I’d go as far as saying it’s insurmountable. That is why the support of critical friends like the UKIB can accelerate private partnerships and help us navigate the road to net zero. The UKIB can play an indispensable role in supporting local authorities like Leeds achieve our net zero ambitions.
I look forward to our continued collaboration with the private sector, and the support that the UKIB will provide in establishing these active partnerships and driving forward our net zero ambitions. We have succeeded in Leeds by building a culture of strong, respectful and purposeful teamwork between the public, private and community sectors, and national enabling bodies like UKIB. More of that, and net zero can be achieved in a fair and equitable way right across the UK.
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