Leicestershire CAN (Collaboration to Accelerate Net zero): A framework for cross-sector decision making, governance and delivery to enable and accelerate net zero action

Leicestershire is a diverse, rural county with a complex matrix of actors and wide variety of actions required to achieve net zero. Having developed, consulted on and adopted a new countywide strategy and action plan in 2022, the Pioneer Places programme offers a timely opportunity to explore effective governance and delivery models to ensure those plans can be executed to maximum effect.

Across all levels, activity remains disparate, siloed, reactive and un-coordinated. Efforts that are funded, lack the scale, pace, integration and investment potential required to successfully deliver the Net Zero Leicestershire Strategy and Action Plan.

Our project presents an opportunity to develop a cohesive structure between local authority and other actors, capable of long-term place-based net zero planning and delivery, able to effectively react to opportunities and adapt to change.

Our project will develop an innovative approach and plan to implement:

\*An innovative, co-created framework for cross-sector, place-based decision making and governance, defining local mandate and optimising local powers across a place

\*A vehicle for delivery which breaks down technological and organisational siloes, enabling a whole system approach to net zero planning and delivery

\*An approach to effectively co-ordinate net zero activity, facilitating scale, investment and agile, fast-paced delivery within a complex matrix of actors

\*Maximisation of resource, capacity, capability and expertise, including optimisation of the role of community energy.

The project will enable us to bring actors together, developing co-ordinated programmes which target priority areas of emissions, understanding the critical interdependencies between heat, power, industry and transport projects, and providing clarity on roles, responsibilities and leveraging the use of local powers.

Without the proposed framework in place, we fear that net zero delivery across the county will continue to be ad-hoc, un-coordinated and disparate. Funded activities will not deliver at the required scale and pace to achieve net zero targets in the designated timeframe. Moreover, they will not engender the required level of investor confidence.

Our project will develop a structure which:

\*Facilitates fast tracked decision making;

\*Supports and promotes accelerated place-based net zero delivery; and

\*Secures a range of co-benefits through collaborative delivery.