A green revolution for our communities

It is no exaggeration to say that the UK government’s 10-point plan is going to be transformational in our journey towards becoming a net zero economy. The impact of these measures will be felt not just by businesses and investors, but also by every household in the country as the change we have been talking about for many years has now been accelerated.

This is not just about generating cleaner energy and investing in green technologies; it is about shaping our communities and the way we live our lives. If the plans are successful, the places we occupy, the way we travel and the way we consume energy will look very different in decades to come. Industry, businesses and consumers will need to adapt – and adapt quickly. So, what does this mean for us all now?

Investing in our communities

Some estimates suggest that around 80 percent of the buildings we will occupy by 2050 have already been built. These office buildings, shops, factories and homes need significant new investment and, in many cases, will require repurposing.

This plan indicates there will be a cultural shift in how we choose to live our lives, and in how investment is made in our cities, towns and communities, to benefit all. This poses a significant challenge on existing supply chain capability and capacity, which will need to be developed at pace and with increased resilience to achieve a zero carbon economy.

It is inevitable that competition for investment will rise. To ensure this is done fairly and in the right places at the right time, a nationwide response will be critical.  Where this investment is directed will no doubt depend upon certainty and articulation of social, economic and environmental demands of local communities. To ensure fairness and equality is delivered across the UK, an integrated approach that aligns all aspects of the supply chain will be of critical importance.

The road forward for electric vehicles

If we are going to make green transport a reality, convenience will prove almost as important as the energy we use to power our vehicles.

Stopping the sale of cars that run on diesel and gasoline by 2030 is a bold move - it requires a lot more than just swapping one vehicle for another. Today, there are around 33 million cars being driven in the UK. Charging each of these will place huge additional pressure on distribution networks, as drivers will not only need to charge their vehicles quickly but have charging points located in the places where we all need to use them.

We have been partnering with Western Power Distribution to address exactly this challenge, supporting their drive towards rolling out fast charging stations at motorway service areas without substantial electricity network upgrade that would entail significant cost. 

This sort of approach will prove crucial when it comes to accelerating the move towards a decarbonised road-transport system. The challenge we now face is delivering charging points in our communities at scale where they are most needed and suit the needs of continually evolving consumer habits.

A more resilient network

The electricity network we have relied upon for decades will now need to adapt at a much greater pace than before. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that there is a greater need than ever to make sure our economy and communities are as robust and resilient as possible. The way power is generated and distributed is very much at the heart of this.

With more investment going into generating green electricity, we also need to effectively distribute it and encourage consumers to use it in a more dynamic way.

Different ways of living, such as the increasing number of customers selling energy back to the grid will now require new thinking. Additional infrastructure in the form of charging points and batteries will prove crucial if we are to create a network that is responsive to our changing needs. 

When it comes to consumer behaviour we also need to embrace data. By pairing data insight with behavioural modelling means we can better understand who, where and how energy will by demanded. This will allow us to make better decisions when it comes to investment and create a more responsive, resilient network for towns and cities across the UK.    

Consumers acting as catalysts for change

At the heart of achieving the much-heralded ‘net zero’ is the need for consumer choice to be the force behind industry transformation. New technology and investment are important, but consumer behaviour and the choices we all make will be crucial too. According to our recent survey, 63% of Brits believe they would shift their behaviour if they better understood the impact of the services they use on the environment, whereas 60% would be willing to pay more for greener options.

There is a clear mandate here for industry to increase transparency as to the carbon footprint impact of the services they provide to the people that use them. At GHD, this is a topic which we have been investigating in some detail and will be sharing our findings very soon. 

Upgrading ageing infrastructure, investing in new technologies and transforming our communities and the way we live in the process is a monumental challenge. However, it is one we will certainly need to commit to if we are to look back in decades to come and say we did everything we did to safeguard the future of our communities for generations to come.