Local Zero

What is the impact of our own behaviours and attitudes, as households and consumers, on carbon emissions? The latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report contains, for the first time ever, a chapter specifically focusing on how the choices we each make impact emissions. To discuss this, the team are joined by Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh from the University of Bath, director of...

The phenomenon of so-called 'Green Lairds' buying up land for carbon offsetting is increasingly a phenomenon that Scotland is having to reckon with. Magnus Davidson from the University of the Highlands and Islands, who is also a board member of Community Land Scotland, joins Matt and Fraser to review a recent panel event held jointly between the University of Edinburgh's Business School and the Br...

How to reconcile natural capital, net-zero and just transition priorities? In this unedited recording, an expert panel discuss the trends for large-scale land purchases for carbon offsetting in Scotland. What is driving these trends, and what the future holds? The discussion was a joint event between the University of Edinburgh's Business School and the British Institute for Energy Economics (BIEE...

Making homes both more sustainable and more affordable: these are two of the most pressing challenges facing society today. In this episode, the team explore solutions presented by community-led cohousing, and community-owned micro-grid energy. In particular, we look at what exciting possibilities can be unlocked when both systems can be integrated together onto one site. We hear from Andy O’Brien...

As the energy crisis bites and price cap rises against a backdrop of climate change, energy advocacy services are becoming crucial to supporting people in need, and local net zero action. In this episode we ask: what is the role of energy advocacy services? What issues are they facing, and how can they support a fair and just net-zero transition for communities? Matt and Fraser are joined by Fraze...

Climate action can deliver a huge variety of co-benefits, alongside carbon reduction: improving health from active travel, reducing fuel poverty through better insulation, and creating better jobs and more resilient communities, to name just a few. Matt and Becky are joined by PwC's Dom Boyle, to discuss how keeping it local can accelerate net zero, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and bring huge so...

Cutting carbon from future infrastructure projects is a massive and costly long-term challenge. It is also a critical part of the path to net zero. So how can bridges, roads, hospitals, power stations, railway networks, and all the big-ticket items we rely on for the proper functioning of our society and economy be decarbonised? Becky and Matt are joined by: Alan Hendry, Director of Sustainability...

Radical changes are needed to our infrastructure if we want to deliver a Just Energy Transition and meet our net-zero goals. But it’s not that simple. Matt and Becky are joined by Dr Jo Patterson to discuss the stagnant costs of clean heating and making our homes more energy efficient. The incentive is just not there for most homeowners, our finance and policy instruments are outdated and ineffect...

Community-led energy projects offer a way forward as energy bills spiral and carbon emissions need to be cut. However, community energy in the UK is struggling. How can government unleash its potential? Matt and Becky are joined by experts Kayla Ente, Founder of Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative and Nigel Cornwall, Director at Hydrogen East, Net Zero East and New Anglia Energy. Find...

Aberdeen has been the epicentre of UK oil and gas - and prospered as a result - since the 1970s. How can a community so steeped in fossil fuels engage successfully with a just transition? Becky and Matt are joined by Prof Tavis Potts from the University of Aberdeen, and Aberdeen Climate Action's Alison Stuart. Find us at www.localzeropod.com

As concern grows over spiking energy bills and its impact on poorer households, what challenges lie ahead for net-zero and a just transition? As ever, we explore how local action can have a positive impact. Matt and Becky are joined by Dr Jen Roberts, Chancellor's Fellow in Energy at the University of Strathclyde, and Dr Jeff Hardy, Senior Research Fellow in Climate Change and the Environment at I...

We managed an actual face-to-face catch-up in Fraser's flat! (squeezed in before the ramping up of COVID-19 measures). There *may* have been alcohol, as we reflected on personal, professional and podcasting highlights from an extraordinary year. Huge thanks for being with us in 2021. The whole LZ team wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. X

Prof David Reay, director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, gives his verdict on COP26. The commitment to 1.5 degrees of warming is, he says, 'on life support'. David also talks about plans for his climate-friendly farm on the beautiful Mull of Kintyre. Tweet us @LocalZeroPod or email localzeropod@gmail.com

Post COP26, an extremely tired Local Zero team gather their initial thoughts and responses. We return to fortnightly Local Zero episodes, every other Thursday from today. Find us at www.localzeropod.com

Matt and Becky finally manage a catch-up, swapping stories and insights from their experiences of COP26. Matt also visits Sunny G community radio in Glasgow's Govan neighbourhood, and takes part in a panel discussion by the 'liberal conservatism' pressure group Bright Blue. We are back to 'business as usual' fortnightly episodes from next week. Find us at www.localzeropod.com

In the COP26 Blue Zone, Matt reflects on global uptake of electric vehicles, bumps into California Democrat Congressional candidate Shrina Kurani, and learns about the surprising climate consequences of working from home. Find us at www.localzeropod.com

At COP26, Becky and Matt chat with Gavin Slater, Glasgow City Council's Head of Sustainability. Gavin outlines action being taken to reach net zero goals on heating, transport and technology, and how COP26 has energised the movement.

Becky joins the Moving for Climate NOW Bike Ride, cycling across Scotland and into Glasgow. Becky talks to the other cyclists about turning targets into action and making sure vulnerable people are included in the transition to Net Zero. She cycles past wind farms, along cycle paths and dashes white-knuckled through rush hour traffic to reach COP26 with the group's manifesto.

On his first visit to the COP26 Blue Zone, Matt narrowly misses Barack Obama, hears warnings that carbon offsetting is merely 'an accounting trick', and dips into a session about an initiative in India to help women tackle heat stress. He also compares notes with Fraser as the pair get set for the legendary Carbon Brief quiz. Find us at www.localzeropod.com

What does a just transition to net zero look like and how can it be delivered? Our #LocalZeroLive COP26 panel show, recorded with a capacity audience at Glasgow's Lighthouse, features: Richard Lochhead – Scottish Government Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Prof. Jim Skea CBE - Centre for Environmental Policy Imperial College; Co-chair of Working Group III of the Intergovernme...

Fraser Stewart reflects on sharing a stage with Greta Thunberg, Vanessa Nakate and indigenous peoples from around the world - after giving a climate justice speech at the Fridays For Future rally in Glasgow's George Square. "From Dundee to Dhaka, this is our fight". Fraser and Matt chair Local Zero Live, a panel discussion at Glasgow's Lighthouse from 4.45pm today. The event is sold out but you ca...

COP26 day 6 saw thousands of young people marching through the streets of Glasgow - with Becky, Matt, and Matt's family all among them.

Becky hits the Green Zone and plays 'How Bad Are Bananas?' Matt is talking heat innovation and geoenergy at a showcase run jointly by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise. Contributors: Prof Malcolm McCulloch, Oxford University Energy and Power Group Dr Mauricio Zaglio, Hank Torbet, Victor Aguilera and Andrew Bissell from East Lothian based East Lothian heat battery innovator Sunamp Nic...

Matt's first foray into COP26 was into the Green Zone on Finance Day. This mini-episode gives a flavour of talks he attended, and the atmosphere around Glasgow. There's also a chat with Amanda Carpenter from the excellent www.theplanetpod.com

COP26 is here! We look ahead to a whirlwind two weeks, get excited, and sketch out plans. Sign up now if you want to be at Local Zero Live on Saturday 6th Nov, and make sure you subscribe to the podcast feed, as we switch to 'breaking-news' style ad-hoc content drops across the fortnight whenever we have them available. Follow us on twitter: @LocalZeroPod.