Urban Foresight to lead national net zero accelerator programme

Urban Foresight has been appointed to lead a national programme to accelerate local transitions to net zero. 

Future Ready will provide targeted support and upskilling to over 50 places from across the UK. It will focus on helping local authorities and their partners to overcome common barriers that hinder the adoption of net zero solutions. This is part of a wider £60 million programme funded by Innovate UK.   

Urban Foresight will manage the 2-year programme, which includes:  

• Building a community of practice to connect peers in a series of events, webinars, and an interactive digital platform 
• Nurturing personal growth through targeted mentoring and training 
• Capturing the learning from the programme to shape national policy, guide local actions, and promote an urgent transition to net zero.  

Dr David Beeton, CEO at Urban Foresight, commented:   

“Local actions will be crucial in helping the UK achieve a rapid transition to Net Zero. This programme will build on Urban Foresight’s experience of developing solutions for smart and sustainable places around the world. We’re thrilled to be leading such an ambitious programme and excited by the opportunity to create a genuine movement for change.”   

Future Ready will benefit from Urban Foresight’s expertise in net zero solutions and local capacity building. The programme is a direct response to analysis and recommendations made by Urban Foresight to Innovate UK on how to bridge the innovation gap between places and solution providers. It also builds on experience of community capacity building in the Republic of Ireland, and developing net zero programmes and strategies places such as Sheffield and Charnwood.