What does it mean to respond to climate change with care ? And how might we do a better job of caring for the environment, for each other, and for ourselves? This episode is the first of a series focusing on projects funded by the Scottish Research Alliance of Energy Homes and Livelihoods (EHL). In it, Jen and Matt talk to Dr Vanicka Arora, Lecturer in Heritage at the University of Stirling, and Dr Arno Verhoeven, Senior Lecturer in Design at the University of Edinburgh and Director for Sustaina...
Jul 02, 2025•57 min
When it comes to climate change in our homes and neighbourhoods, much of the focus has so far been on mitigation – reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. But with the impacts of climate change increasingly tangible, how can we adapt our buildings and infrastructure – as well as our culture and lifestyles – to make sure they're resilient? Jen and Matt speak to Chris Carus, co-founder and Executive Officer of Loco Home Retrofit CIC , and Becky McLean, Director of Sustainability at Team Civic . As ...
Jun 11, 2025•57 min
The UK isn't exactly famous for its dry, sunny weather – and yet, water scarcity is an increasingly widespread and urgent problem. Why? And what are the implications – environmental, economic, and cultural? Jen and Matt explore causes and impacts of water scarcity, with Laura Major, Research Fellow and anthropologist and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, and Ellie Willmott, Principal Hydrologist in the Water Resources Unit at the Scottish Env...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min
What is good practice for setting up and operating community benefit funds? And how do we make sure communities really do properly benefit from renewable energy (and other) projects? In this episode, Fraser gets the low-down from Matt and Jen on a new framework from the Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities that explores exactly these questions. The framework is called "Guiding Principles and Actions for Enhancing Community Benefits from Community Benefit Funds". Links: Download the ...
May 14, 2025•56 min
Matt and Jen are joined by researcher Dr Emma Yule for a comprehensive primer on climate change adaptation. What is it, and how does it interact with mitigation? What could adaptation look like in practical terms? How do we measure success? What are some of the challenges to effective adaptation – and what kind of benefits could arise from it? But first, the episode kicks off with Matt and Jen exchanging wildlife sightings and nature observations – some unsettling, some exciting. Links: Local Ze...
May 01, 2025•59 min
How can local authorities collaborate with community energy groups to deliver a just transition? To explore this question, Fraser and Jen – making their co-hosting debut – are joined by Ellie Radcliffe , Project Manager at Carbon Co-op, and Charlotte Norton , Associate Director at The Carbon Trust. The conversation focuses on the Innovate UK-funded Net Zero Living programme, which aims to help local authorities accelerate the transition to net zero. Links: Local Zero podcast: https://www.localze...
Apr 03, 2025•54 min
This is a full recording of the event "The Local Power Plan: Powering a community energy revolution in Scotland?", hosted by the Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities and the British Institute of Energy Economics (BIEE) . The event featured a keynote speech from Michael Shanks, Under-Secretary of State at the UK government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and a lively panel discussion between Minister Shanks, Professor Keith Bell from Strathclyde University, Claire Mack, ...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Matt and Fraser discuss some of the highlights from our event at Strathclyde Business School, "The Local Power Plan: Powering a community energy revolution in Scotland?", hosted by the Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities and the British Institute of Energy Economics (BIEE) . The event featured a keynote speech from Michael Shanks, Under-Secretary of State at the UK government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and a lively panel discussion between Minister Shanks, Profess...
Mar 23, 2025•45 min
We're all familiar with the concept of Net Zero – but what about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)? Joining Matt and Jen to explain BNG and its implications is Tom Butterworth, Nature Lead at ARUP for the UK, India, the Middle East and Africa. Onward links: Episode 74 with nature writer and journalist Kate Bradbury: how can our gardens protect the environment?: https://www.localzeropod.com/episodes/74-how-can-our-gardens-protect-the-environment UK Government guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain: https://...
Feb 27, 2025•52 min
As we start the new year, Matt and Jen reflect on the highs and lows of 2024, and share their hopes and expectations – and a few fears – for 2025. Plus: there’s exciting news on the future of the podcast. Links: https://www.localzeropod.com/ Episode 76 – Water, water... everywhere?: https://www.localzeropod.com/episodes/76-water-watereverywhere Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities: https://www.strath.ac.uk/business/huntercentreforentrepreneurship/sisc/ Surfers against Sewage: https:...
Jan 27, 2025•47 min
What is shared ownership of energy? What opportunities and challenges does it present, both for communities and private companies? And how might it help accelerate the transition to net zero? Fraser and Matt are joined by Jake Burnyeat, Director of Communities for Renewables CIC, and Jessica Hogan, Energy Analyst at Regen, to discuss Regen's new report, "Sharing Power: Unlocking shared ownership for a fast and fair net zero transition". Links: https://www.regen.co.uk/publications/sharing-power-u...
Dec 11, 2024•56 min
Joining Matt and Jen for a look-ahead to COP29 are Dr Simon Evans, Deputy Editor and Senior Policy Editor at Carbon Brief , and Professor Francesco Sindico, Professor of International Environmental Law at the University of Strathclyde Law School and Director of the Climate Change Legal Initiative. Relevant links: https://www.wri.org/insights/cop29-climate-summit-what-to-expect https://www.localzeropod.com...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr
It's a landmark episode! Somehow, this is the 100th episode of Local Zero. A big thanks to our listeners, guests, and supporters, without whom, we definitely would not have made it to three figures. One last time, we're joined by our co-host Becky, who has some news to share about her new adventure. The team mull over their highlights since starting the pod in 2021, and what the next 100 episodes might look like! Links: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/07/chris-boardman-premier-league-...
Oct 23, 2024•52 min
After the unveiling of a new co-host (!!!), and some discussion about recent visits to Orkney and Ayrshire, we are joined on the pod by Laura Young (@LessWasteLaura) and Andrew Pankhurst from Zero Waste Scotland to examine how we can avoid creating unnecessary food waste in the home. Reducing Food Waste at Home bitesize course: https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/bitesize-food-waste-course
Oct 02, 2024•56 min
Matt and Fraser return after a (washout) summer to share their expectations, hopes and any potential concerns about the new Labour government's Net Zero manifesto and policies. There is also an important update on the future of Local Zero. Linkedin - Local Zero Podcast https://www.localzeropod.com
Aug 28, 2024•58 min
The long-awaited 2024 General Election is just around the corner - but how important will climate change be in the context of voting intention? Joining Matt and Fraser to discuss this, and analyse the key differences between the manifestos, are Daisy Powell-Chandler from Public First, and Sir John Curtice, political scientist and Professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, who you'll all recognise from election nights gone by. https://www.publicfirst.co.uk/ https://www.meyland.co.uk/...
Jun 26, 2024•58 min
How do agriculture and food production affect climate change and biodiversity, and can we fully decarbonise this industry? Becky, Fraser and Matt are joined by agriculture and environment consultant Keesje Avis, and Mike Robinson, Chief Exec of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Co-Chair of the 'Farming for 1.5 Degrees' report.
Jun 12, 2024•57 min
Matt is joined by Dr Jen Roberts as they share the launch of their brand new institute - the Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities, or SISC for short. We hear from some of the attendees and also some selected highlights from the event itself.
May 29, 2024•29 min
How to reduce consumption and cut waste, with a focus on re-use and sharing. Joining the Local Zero team are Samantha Moir from Zero Waste Scotland , and Jo Hartga, who runs the Southside Tool Library at South Seeds , a Glasgow charity helping people to live more sustainably.
May 15, 2024•50 min
Matt and Becky return from their Easter breaks to welcome Rachel Searle, Head of Communities and Impact at Foundation Scotland, and Fiona Smith, chair of Glenkens and District Trust, to discuss the successes and difficulties of community benefit funds from two different perspectives. https://www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/
May 01, 2024•46 min
Fraser and Becky (& Becky's dog Kaya!) are joined by Angus Paterson, Electric Vehicles Strategy Senior Officer at Essex County Council, and Joe Ash, Net Zero Associate at UK Power Networks. In this episode we chat about how Essex is harnessing the power of open data to fulfil their net zero planning ambitions, and how the relationship between councils and UKPN works. As promised in the episode: https://ukpowernetworks.opendatasoft.com/pages/laep/ https://www.yourlocalnetzerohub.co.uk/...
Mar 27, 2024•46 min
Living Places is a social enterprise focused on funding and delivery of community focused, place-based models for a just net zero transition. Becky and Fraser are joined by their co-founder, Rufus Grantham, to discuss his work in this space. There's a bit of maths and finance - but stick with it! https://livingplaces.earth/
Mar 13, 2024•54 min
What can we do to tackle fuel poverty more effectively? A busy episode of Local Zero as Matt, Becky and Fraser are joined by Dr Nicola Willand from RMIT University in Melbourne, Professor Lucie Middlemiss from the University of Leeds, and Dr Neil Simcock from Liverpool John Moores University. Nicki, Lucie and Neil are part of the Fuel Poverty Research Network. The Fuel Poverty Research Network (FPRN) is an international network that brings together students, researchers, policymakers and other p...
Feb 28, 2024•51 min
After catching up on professional and personal news, Matt, Becky and Fraser welcome Rachel Coxcoon to the pod. Rachel, a former councillor and founder/director of Climate Guide, and is currently doing a PHD at Lancaster University. In this episode, we talk about the role of deliberative democracy such as climate assemblies, and how we can use these effectively to achieve Net Zero. AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION [music flourish] Becky: Hello and welcome to Local Zero with Becky, Matt and Fraser. Becky: Join...
Feb 14, 2024•55 min
Matt has very exciting news to share before he and Becky welcome James Bonner from Every Tree Tells a Story to discuss his work. https://everytree.uk/
Feb 01, 2024•47 min
Joining Becky and Fraser for the first episode of 2024 are Scotland's Makar (National Poet) Kathleen Jamie, and writer Sandy Winterbottom, who talk to us about 'Paperboats' - a campaign led by Scottish writers, poets and creatives, and about the need to repair the divide between the arts and science.
Jan 24, 2024•41 min
Somehow it's that time of the year once again! Becky, Matt and Fraser break down the highlights and lowlights of the year, are joined by Patrick from the production team to pick out their favourite episodes, and there might - MIGHT - be a Future or Fiction in there somewhere! Thank you to you, our listeners, for your time, energy, and support this year.
Dec 17, 2023•57 min
In January this year, Hannah Jewell, then of Climate Emergency UK, joined us to discuss their Council Climate Plan scorecards. Months later, the results are in, and Isaac Beevor joins the pod to discuss how the roll-out went and discuss the key findings. Before this, Matt and Fraser break down a busy month of climate news...
Dec 06, 2023•53 min
Recently, we brought you edited highlights from a live panel discussion held in Edinburgh, entitled Countdown to the General Election: Scotland’s next steps to net-zero. This episode is the panel discussion in full, including 10 minutes of opening remarks from Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, and over an hour of indepth debate featuring, alongside Chris: Charles Hendry, President of BIEE and former UK Government Energy Minister (chair) Guy Jefferson, COO Scottish Pow...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 26 min
Matt and Fraser welcome Nick Lyth, Founder of Green Angel Ventures, and Stephen Hall, Head of Awards at Ashden. The Ashden Awards are given to organisations and businesses that deliver local, sustainable energy schemes with social, economic and environmental benefits - and this year, Fraser was involved in deciding the winners. https://www.carbonbrief.org/the-carbon-brief-quiz-2023/ https://youtube.com/@Ashden_org?si=RbQHRG-C0fGuJL3J...
Nov 22, 2023•53 min
