10070838Financing Net ZeroClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKAchieving Net Zero is a key priority for Devon County Council. We led the development of the Devon Carbon Plan and serve as the secretariat for the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group which oversees its implementation. The non technical challenge we want to address is access to green finance. Lessons learnt in the delivery of previous projects has demonstrated that additional funding and unlocking investment opportunities would result in greater economic and environmental benefits. This project would use innovation to address the barrier of finance in two different ways. Firstly, the recruitment of a Net Zero Delivery and Innovation Officer. Secondly, developing investment playbooks and Net Zero Delivery Vehicles that to bring projects to investment readiness and then source private and public investment to unlock opportunities. Additionally, investment audits will be conducted for two strategic locations and placing interns into SMEs/micro-businesses looking to decarbonise. DCC takes a whole-systems approach to Net Zero action, collaborating with partners to tackle multiple challenges simultaneously.