Delivering Net Zero is one of Cumbria LEP’s main strategic priorities where we are particularly focused on clean energy generation and business decarbonisation whilst supporting wider county initiatives across domestic, transportation and public sector decarbonisation.
Clean Energy Strategy
Following a wide ranging consultation process, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) have issued its Clean Energy Strategy that sets out ambitious plans across a wide range of green energy types.
Find out moreDistributed Energy Strategy
Driving Cumbria’s progress towards net zero carbon emissions is a strategic priority for the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, as we aim to make Cumbria a great place to live, work and invest both now and in the future.
Find out moreBusiness Decarbonisation
CLEP’s Business Decarbonisation 10 Point Plan was produced following engagement with business leaders and interaction with CLEP’s Business Hub.
Find out moreCLEP Net Zero Navigator
The CLEP Net Zero Navigator is a curated library of advice and resources to support businesses and organisations in Cumbria on their route to decarbonisation.
Find out more
Supported with funding from Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and North West Zero Hub.
The Hub programme supports public engagement through North West Route to Net Zero.
Natural Capital
Our region has the potential to play a significant role in the clean growth agenda and be at the forefront of the transition to a post-carbon economy, with excellent green energy resources and opportunities for new initiatives to build upon its existing portfolio.
Cumbria can play a significant role in carbon sequestration based upon our exceptional natural capital. For example, our extensive peatlands can help absorb emissions from elsewhere in the country.
Interesting work is also underway involving the Environment Agency is seeing how there can be better river catchment flood management involving new approaches to land use and management. As noted in the ideas section, Cumbria is and should be at the forefront of this rapidly developing area.
Resilience
However, we also need to ensure that Cumbria is resilient and given our exceptional natural capital that we can effectively adapt to climate change.
Cumbria has faced serious challenges from severe weather events in recent years, most noticeably several major flooding events, but also storms and high winds that have impacted on our utilities and transport infrastructure. Many of our main towns and cities have had serious impacts from flooding that can have lasting economic, business disruption and social impacts (Carlisle, Kendal, Keswick, Cockermouth, Appleby, Workington).
As a result of climate change the Met Office long term projections are for the number and intensity of these extreme weather events to rise in Cumbria. Therefore, we need to ensure that the key utilities infrastructure is in place to support the future development and resilience of Cumbria's economy (water and sewerage, energy supply, flood defences/ resilience).
