Corporate report
Heat network zoning social research
Findings of social research undertaken to inform the development and implementation of future heat networks zoning policy.
Documents
Details
Heat network zoning is recognised as an important policy tool to accelerate heat network development to support heat decarbonisation of buildings.
The research assessed the views, attitudes and perspectives of people who may be affected by heat network zoning policy in 6 cities across England, including local authorities, building owners and residents. It carried out online deliberative workshops and a postal survey from April to December 2021.
The research had 5 objectives:
- engage with a representative sample of building types and asset owners within potential heat network zones in the six cities included in the study: Bristol, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Nottingham.
- identify key considerations underpinning attitudes towards heat decarbonisation (such as choice, cost, responsibilities and carbon).
- seek views on being part of a local solution versus an individual building solution to heat decarbonisation.
- determine attitudes towards being mandated or encouraged to connect to a heat network and views on what information and evidence stakeholders would need to support heat network zoning.
- identify what building owners and residents consider to be important concerns, risks and opportunities of heat network zoning.
We have published:
- the final report
- a technical annexes report
- sample data tables 1 to 4
This independent research report was produced by:
- Centre for Sustainable Energy
- Association for Decentralised Energy
- SE2