Net Zero Caerphilly Engagement Innovation (NetZeroCaerEI)

This Phase 2 pathfinder project will seek to bridge the gap in understanding of residents in relation to Net Zero and decarbonisation using an innovative cradle-to-grave approach to consultation. The Phase 1 project addressed multiple non-technical barriers to develop a proof-of-concept toolkit for options appraisal. The process highlighted a significant challenge related to understanding of what decarbonisation means and options for reaching Net Zero. This makes needs assessment and requirement gathering for a toolkit that benefits multiple stakeholders including Local Authorities, businesses and residents extremely difficult. All these stakeholders have differing levels of understanding, educational attainment, and access to digital technologies. For the next stage of toolkit development to be successful this needs to be addressed prior to creation.

We will develop, test and trial this approach in Caerphilly using hydrogen for heat and transport as test vectors/applications but this will also provide insights and transferrable approaches for wider decarbonisation activities. The innovation in the cradle-to-grave approach lies in addressing the intersection between EDI and Net Zero infrastructure by co-creating a communication approach that truly supports change. We will engage users from different backgrounds and understanding of Net Zero, with different levels of access to digital technologies to capture information needs/wants and present this in an easily digestible format. Through the cradle-to-grave approach residents will be empowered to understand the full project life cycle not just construction phase. By engaging about communication preferences, we can access harder to reach groups and those that have had no prior engagement with these issues.

The project brings together Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) with partners University of South Wales to tackle this complex and important challenge.