Briefing: Realising Net Zero Liverpool: a state-of-the-art urban decarbonisation initiative

Realising Net Zero Liverpool (RNZL) is a £2.6 million initiative, funded by Innovate UK, accelerating urban decarbonisation through integrated strategies in clean energy, housing retrofit and sustainable mobility. Liverpool faces acute challenges of fuel poverty, poor air quality and high embodied carbon dioxide in construction, compounded by fragmented waste management. RNZL addresses these through a four-pillar approach: deploying modular heat networks and renewable energy systems; promoting modern methods of construction with bio-based materials for housing retrofit and new build; designing electric vehicle ready mobility hubs; implementing city-wide socio-techno-economic modelling using ClimateOS. Evidence to date is qualitative and includes significantly improved engagement with public and private real estate owners and developers, institutional investors and Liverpool City Council, which has expanded its net-zero team eightfold. Two major review points are scheduled for early 2026, focusing on commercial real estate and investor outreach. Impact will be assessed through stakeholder participation, investment interest and pilot project commitments, supported by ClimateOS for ongoing benchmarking.