Local Zero

Tackling climate change increasingly means action at the household level. Around a third of the emissions reductions needed over the next 15 years will come from changes in how we heat our homes, travel and consume energy. But how do policymakers decide which pathways to net zero will work for everyday people? And how do they ensure proposed changes are affordable, practical and publicly acceptable? In this episode, Jen Roberts and Matt Hannon are joined by Dr Sandra Bögelein, Lead Analyst for People and Net Zero at the Climate Change Committee, to discuss how citizens are helping to shape UK climate policy. They explore the Climate Change Committee's Seventh Carbon Budget and how Citizens Panels were used alongside expert analysis and modelling to understand public perspectives on household climate action. Together, they discuss what these deliberative processes revealed about public priorities, trade-offs and co-benefits, the opportunities and challenges of involving citizens in policymaking, and how similar approaches could support climate decision-making at local and regional levels.  Links: The CCC Seventh Carbon Budget Report: theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/The-Seventh-Carbon-Budget.pdf The CCC Citizens’ Panel for an accessible and affordable household vision of Net Zero: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/citizens-panel-for-an-accessible-and-affordable-household-vision-of-net-zero-ipsos/  The three Citizens’ Juries from 2013/14 that Jen mentioned: https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/projects/citizens-juries-on-wind-farm-development-in-scotland/  Want to listen to more like this on Local Zero? Check out the following episodes:   89: Citizens assemble: participatory approaches for climate action 6: Power to the people: Net zero and citizen engagement 

Climate change adaptation is often discussed in terms of plans, policies and infrastructure, but what does it actually take to build climate-resilient communities? In this episode, Jen Roberts and Matt Hannon explore how adaptation is being delivered in practice, the role communities play in inspiring, shaping and leading resilience, and what we've learned about what works – and what doesn’t. Joined by Jo Kerr, CEO of Verture, the climate resilience charity, they discuss the importance of locally led action, partnership working, and ensuring climate resilience goes hand in hand with social justice. Together, they unpack the key ingredients for nurturing and delivering community-centred climate adaptation.  Links:Verture website: https://verture.org.uk/Adaptation Scotland: Home - Adaptation ScotlandClimate Change Committee report A Well Adapted UK: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/ 

As our climate changes, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. But what happens when multiple climate hazards occur at the same time—or in quick succession? In this episode, Jen Roberts and Matt Hannon explore the concept of climate hazard stacking and what it means for climate resilience. How common are these overlapping risks already, and how might they change in a future shaped by more extreme weather? What challenges do they create for communities, infrastructure and decision-makers—and how should adaptation strategies respond? To unpack these questions, they are joined by Professor Chris White (https://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/whitechristopherdr/), Professor in Climate Extremes and Resilience at the University of Strathclyde and an expert on multi-hazard risks across systems and society. Chris explains why understanding climate hazards in combination, rather than in isolation, is essential for building resilient communities and preparing for a changing climate.  Links: - UNICEF’s Children's Climate Risk Report (2026): https://data.unicef.org/resources/childrens-climate-risk-report-2026/  - Climate Change Committee (https://www.theccc.org.uk/) report (May 2026) A Well-Adapted UK - The Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/ - Book recommendation: The Response by David Shukman “A Story of Fire and Flood in Britain’s New World of Extremes” https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/469146/the-response-by-shukman-david/9781529144284republished following a technical glitch!

As renewable electricity generation grows and more sectors electrify, the UK needs a bigger and stronger electricity network to transport clean power where it is needed. But what does this unprecedented expansion mean for the communities hosting new grid infrastructure?In this episode, Matt Hannon and Jen Roberts explore the experiences of people living on the frontline of the UK's electricity grid expansion. How are communities being affected by the construction and disruption associated with new transmission infrastructure? And what challenges and opportunities does this present for the electricity network companies responsible for delivering it?To discuss these questions, they are joined by Clare Harris, Scotland Lead for the Local Storytelling Exchange, which shines a spotlight on local experiences of the green transition, and David Murray, former Executive Director of Sustainability First, an independent charity and think tank focused on improving environmental, social and economic wellbeing across UK utilities.Together, they explore how the UK's grid expansion can support both the transition to net zero and positive outcomes for the communities at its heart.Links:National Grid: Delivering for 2035 (where you can download the summary report Delivering for 2035: Upgrading the grid for a secure, clean and affordable energy future)Local Storytelling Exchange Dispatches from the grid frontlineSustainability First: People Power: Best practice engagement with communities most affected by electricity grid developme…People Power: Best practice engagement with communities most affected by electricity grid development…Sustainability First: The Transmission Owners Principles for Effective Engagement in Community Benefit Funds 

Public attitudes play a crucial role in shaping climate policy—but what can the May 2026 election results tell us about how people really feel about net zero? In this episode, Matt and Jen reflect on the outcomes of the UK’s devolved administration and local council elections in May 2026 and explore what they might reveal about public views on sustainability and climate change. Are current approaches to net zero resonating with voters, or is there a need to rethink how climate action is framed and delivered? To unpack these questions, they’re joined by Professor Tavis Potts, Professor of Sustainable Development and Environmental Governance at the University of Aberdeen, and Daisy Powell-Chandler, Partner and Head of Energy and Environment Practice at Public First. Stick or twist? Why the UK's net-zero strategy is faltering and may need to change https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/stick-or-twist-why-the-uks-net-zero-strategy-is-faltering-and-may/fingerprints/ environmental, climate change, sustainability, education

New episodes of Local Zero Podcast are on the way!After a bit of a break, we’re back with fresh conversations—featuring new guests alongside some familiar voices. In the meantime, you can catch up on all past episodes and explore full transcripts on your favourite podcast platform or at www.localzeropod.com.We’d love to hear from you—drop us a line at [email protected] or contact us on LinkedIn.Local Zero 

After 113 episodes, reaching 35,000 unique listeners, in 150 countries - the award-winning Local Zero podcast is having to say 'bye for now'.Sadly, we’ve reached a point where continuing to fund production of Local Zero has become a challenge. We are working hard to identify a way forward, and hope to have a resolution early in 2026, so we can begin publishing new episodes again. We are extremely proud of all that we’ve achieved so far, and have had tremendous fun along the way.Particularly, we've loved hearing from people who've got in touch to let us know how listening to the podcast has helped them shape their approach to sustainability and local climate action. To all our past guests, our listeners, and especially to anyone who has ever got in touch or shared positive reviews - thank you!All past episodes and transcripts will remain available on podcast platforms - and searchable on the website www.localzeropod.comIf you'd like to get in touch with the team - especially if your organisation has ideas for funding or commissioning episodes of Local Zero or if you have stories to share about the impact of the podcast or of particular episodes - we would love to hear from you. Drop us an email at [email protected], or contact us directly on LinkedIn. We hope to be back soon. Stay following Local Zero, so that new episodes - when they come - land straight onto your device.

Matt and Fraser explore the UK Co-Benefits Atlas, a new, interactive platform for communicating the co-benefits of reaching net zero across the UK. Co-benefits are the positive changes that could happen as a side-effect of cutting carbon emissions – such as cleaner air, healthier homes, and better diets.This is the third and final episode in our series focusing on projects funded by the Scottish Research Alliance for Energy Homes and Livelihoods (EHL). Our guests are Dr Andrew Sudmant, Data Programme Manager at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute and co-lead of the EHL’s “Financial Pathways” theme, and Dr Sean Field, Director of Policy and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Energy Ethics at the University of St Andrews and Lead Analyst at the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.Follow EHL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-homes-livelihoods/Sign up to the EHL newsletter: https://energy-homes-livelihoods.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=95f64f8471e335ca66577e8ac&id=8f3acb33edLinks:Local Zero homepage: https://www.localzeropod.com/UK Co-Benefits Atlas: https://ukcobenefitsatlas.net/Dr Andrew Sudmant: https://www.energy-homes-livelihoods.ac.uk/team-1/andrew-sudmant-2/Dr Sean Field: https://energyethics.st-andrews.ac.uk/people/sean-field/

Matt and Fraser hit the road to explore the reality of "van life", going beyond the glossy image often presented on social media. To what extent is van dwelling really a choice, and how easy – or otherwise – is it to live sustainably in a vehicle?This episode is the second in our series focusing on projects funded by the Scottish Research Alliance for Energy Homes and Livelihoods (EHL). Our guest is Dr Louise Reid, Senior Lecturer in Geography and Sustainable Development and Co-Director of the St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities (StACCS). Along with Dr Rachel Hunt and Dr Rachel Creaney, Louise is part of an EHL-funded project exploring people's lived experiences of van dwelling in Scotland, in an attempt to fill an evidence gap on the topic.Follow EHL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-homes-livelihoods/Sign up to the EHL newsletter: https://energy-homes-livelihoods.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=95f64f8471e335ca66577e8ac&id=8f3acb33edLinks:Scottish Research Alliance for Energy Homes and Livelihoods: https://www.energy-homes-livelihoods.ac.ukDr Louise Reid: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/geography-sustainable-development/people/lar9Van Dwelling – An Evidence Mapping Workshop: https://www.energy-homes-livelihoods.ac.uk/2024/08/23/vandwelling-home-is-where-you-park-it-an-evidence-mapping-workshop/‘They lump us all together’: van-dwellers and homeowners clash over life near Bristol Downs (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/15/van-dwellers-homeowners-clash-life-near-bristol-downs Local Zero: https://www.localzeropod.com/

What does it mean to respond to climate change with care? And how might we do a better job of caring for the environment, for each other, and for ourselves?This episode is the first of a series focusing on projects funded by the Scottish Research Alliance of Energy Homes and Livelihoods (EHL). In it, Jen and Matt talk to Dr Vanicka Arora, Lecturer in Heritage at the University of Stirling, and Dr Arno Verhoeven, Senior Lecturer in Design at the University of Edinburgh and Director for Sustainable Development at Edinburgh College of Art. Vanicka and Arno are both leading EHL-funded seed projects exploring “infrastructures of care” as they relate to climate change and sustainability.Follow EHL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-homes-livelihoods/Sign up to the EHL newsletter: https://energy-homes-livelihoods.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=95f64f8471e335ca66577e8ac&id=8f3acb33edLinks:Scottish Research Alliance of Energy Homes and Livelihoods: https://www.energy-homes-livelihoods.ac.ukDr Arno Verhoeven: https://www.eca.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr-arno-verhoevenDr Vanicka Arora: https://www.stir.ac.uk/people/1852699 Emerging and Sustaining Infrastructures of Care: https://www.energy-homes-livelihoods.ac.uk/2024/12/02/emerging-and-sustaining-infrastructures-of-careCulture and Sustainability: Exploring Stability and Transformation with the Cultures Framework (open access book by Janet Stephenson): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-25515-1Scottish Wildlife Trust Community Stories – The Isle of Eigg: https://community.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/story/isle-of-eiggPast Local Zero episodes on related themes:Episode 24: Retrofit for the future: Jobs, skills and training for zero-carbon homes: https://www.localzeropod.com/episodes/retrofit-for-the-future-jobs-skills-and-training-for-zero-carbon-homesEpisode 69: Whole person, whole place - social relations and energy retrofit: https://www.localzeropod.com/episodes/69-whole-person-whole-place-social-relations-and-energy-retrofitEpisode 110: Adapting our homes and communities to a changing climate: https://www.localzeropod.com/episodes/adapting-our-homes-and-communities-to-a-changing-climate