Why get started?

By moving beyond isolated grants to portfolio-based, blended finance models, councils can unlock the investment needed to deliver integrated, high-impact net zero programmes.

• Understand local priorities and communities
• Influence key assets like land, schools, and transport
• Deliver infrastructure that supports inclusive, green growth

At the same time, investors are actively seeking local projects that offer measurable returns and long-term impact. But they need scale, certainty, and strategic alignment

• Support local authorities to move from isolated, grant-funded projects to scalable, investment-ready portfolios
• Guide through a structured six-stage journey from strategy to commercialisation (Final Investment Decision – FID) to enable effective delivery, operation and expansion
• Access novel diagnostic tools, case studies, training modules, and replicable investment models
• Enable unlocking blended finance – combining public, private, and outcome-based funding
• Initiate collaborative use across finance, climate, housing, and economic development teams

• Assess their organisational net zero investment readiness and identify areas for improvement with the Fit4Finance Diagnostic Tool
• Start the six stage learning journey to Financial Investment Decision (FID) from Strategy to Expansion

The timeline sets out the stages you will need to go through to access green finance/private sector investment.

Source: These stages are broadly taken from Financing Local Net Zero Projects: A Guide for Local Authorities, Innovate UK in association with PWC (2023).

• At each stage, you will be supported by targeted knowledge products, including guidance on investor priorities, pipeline development and aggregation, commercial partnership options to help you unlock the funding needed to deliver integrated, high-impact net zero programmes.
• Team members are individually supported by a suite of training resources aligned to the competencies required.
• You’ll be able to access independent advisors through an independent Dynamic Purchasing System created specifically for local authorities operating in this space
• Facilitate the required cross-departmental collaboration and engagement with delivery partners and investors to build effective, investible net zero portfolios.
• Engage investors throughout project development cycle.