Regional Energy Transitions in England: The Governing Role of Combined Authorities in the Decarbonisation of Heating
(2021) IMEM01 20211The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
- Abstract
- In order to meet its carbon targets, the UK must address the decarbonisation of the currently
fossil-fuel dependent system of heating. Buildings and heat strategy at the national level has
been insufficient in combatting this issue, and it is increasingly suggested that more local and
regional approaches will be needed to accelerate the transition to low carbon heating. There is
scope for further understanding of the merits of regional governance in this regard. This thesis
therefore uses a multiple case study to explore the governing role that combined authorities, a
form of regional government, play in low carbon heat strategy in England. It does so by
investigating the strategies pursued, and the barriers and enablers faced... (More) - In order to meet its carbon targets, the UK must address the decarbonisation of the currently
fossil-fuel dependent system of heating. Buildings and heat strategy at the national level has
been insufficient in combatting this issue, and it is increasingly suggested that more local and
regional approaches will be needed to accelerate the transition to low carbon heating. There is
scope for further understanding of the merits of regional governance in this regard. This thesis
therefore uses a multiple case study to explore the governing role that combined authorities, a
form of regional government, play in low carbon heat strategy in England. It does so by
investigating the strategies pursued, and the barriers and enablers faced by combined
authorities and their constituent local authorities in relation to the decarbonisation of heating.
It uses data collected from climate and energy strategies published by combined authorities
and their constituent local authorities, and from interviews conducted with authority officers.
This thesis employs thematic analysis based on a conceptual framework drawn primarily from
literature on Regional Energy Transitions. The research finds that the strategies pursued by
combined authorities and their constituent local authorities share many similarities, but that
combined authorities tend to take a broader strategic view while the local authorities
implement projects. The results suggest that while the decarbonisation of heating is an
emerging issue at the regional level, there are multiple opportunities for combined authorities
to influence in this area, both directly and as an enabler and facilitator of action. Many of these
opportunities are already being acted upon and can be built upon going forward. These
opportunities include carrying out energy planning for the region, steering funding towards
the decarbonisation of heating, sharing good practice at a regional level, and lobbying
government for policy changes. Areas for future research include comparing access to funding
between local authorities who are members of combined authorities and those who are not, to
understand if combined authority membership adds an advantage; investigating public
engagement on this issue from combined authorities and local authorities; and investigating
the role of other local and regional bodies such as Local Enterprise Partnerships and Energy
Hubs. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9061979
- author
- Littlewood, Susannah LU
- supervisor
-
- Jenny Palm LU
- organization
- course
- IMEM01 20211
- year
- 2021
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Decarbonisation of Heating, Regional Energy Transitions, Combined Authorities
- report number
- 2021.19
- ISSN
- 1401-9191
- language
- English
- id
- 9061979
- date added to LUP
- 2021-09-14 13:57:41
- date last changed
- 2021-09-14 13:57:41
@misc{9061979, abstract = {{In order to meet its carbon targets, the UK must address the decarbonisation of the currently fossil-fuel dependent system of heating. Buildings and heat strategy at the national level has been insufficient in combatting this issue, and it is increasingly suggested that more local and regional approaches will be needed to accelerate the transition to low carbon heating. There is scope for further understanding of the merits of regional governance in this regard. This thesis therefore uses a multiple case study to explore the governing role that combined authorities, a form of regional government, play in low carbon heat strategy in England. It does so by investigating the strategies pursued, and the barriers and enablers faced by combined authorities and their constituent local authorities in relation to the decarbonisation of heating. It uses data collected from climate and energy strategies published by combined authorities and their constituent local authorities, and from interviews conducted with authority officers. This thesis employs thematic analysis based on a conceptual framework drawn primarily from literature on Regional Energy Transitions. The research finds that the strategies pursued by combined authorities and their constituent local authorities share many similarities, but that combined authorities tend to take a broader strategic view while the local authorities implement projects. The results suggest that while the decarbonisation of heating is an emerging issue at the regional level, there are multiple opportunities for combined authorities to influence in this area, both directly and as an enabler and facilitator of action. Many of these opportunities are already being acted upon and can be built upon going forward. These opportunities include carrying out energy planning for the region, steering funding towards the decarbonisation of heating, sharing good practice at a regional level, and lobbying government for policy changes. Areas for future research include comparing access to funding between local authorities who are members of combined authorities and those who are not, to understand if combined authority membership adds an advantage; investigating public engagement on this issue from combined authorities and local authorities; and investigating the role of other local and regional bodies such as Local Enterprise Partnerships and Energy Hubs.}}, author = {{Littlewood, Susannah}}, issn = {{1401-9191}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, title = {{Regional Energy Transitions in England: The Governing Role of Combined Authorities in the Decarbonisation of Heating}}, year = {{2021}}, }