NET ZERO HUNTER
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A Local Plan to Transition to Net Zero
Outcomes Report
Prepared by The Blue Tribe Company
"Getting to net zero will not be easy. I firmly believe that action on climate change must be grounded in science and economics – not ideology. Just as it is unacceptable to ignore the challenge posed by climate change, it is also unacceptable to call for an end to the modern way of life. Emissions reduction must enhance, not undermine, the prosperity and quality of life enjoyed by the people of New South Wales."
The Hon. Matt Kean, MP
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1. Executive Summary
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1.1 Overview
NSW DPE has identified an opportunity for the Hunter Region to take a leading role in supporting NSW’s transition to a net zero economy.
In stage 1 of the project undertaken in early 2021 a concept for the establishment of an alliance/consortium known as Net Zero Hunter was developed.
This outcomes report covers stage 2 of the project which was designed to achieve the following outcomes:
- 1.Create a supported network of champions and organisations with a coordinated approach to regional transition.
- 2.Co-design of a regional Net Zero Roadmap.
- 3.Identification of collaborative opportunities to advanced outcomes towards a net zero future for the region.
1.2 Formation of Net Zero Hunter
Net Zero Hunter (NZH) was formed in June 2021 in an initial visioning workshop.
Subsequent workshops were conducted in November 2021 where stakeholders from the region came together under Net Zero Hunter to develop a vision for the Hunter in 2050 and to identify key actions to achieve this future. The "Net Zero Hunter Roadmap" vision is detailed later in this report.
The following are some of the participants in NZH to date.
1.3 Baseline of Regional Emissions
An analysis of regional emissions was undertaken to identify key emissions reductions opportunities and to provide a baseline to track progress of decarbonisation.
The analysis identified that significant decarbonisation activities have already commenced within the Hunter region which creates a number of opportunities for new investment and emerging net zero solutions.
1.4 Net Zero Hunter Roadmap
A key output of the project was the development of the Net Zero Hunter Roadmap which represents a local plan to transition to net zero.
Through a series of workshops, the stakeholders in NZH identified a vision for the Hunter in 2050 that included eleven strategic outcomes/opportunities for the region through the development and implementation of a net zero roadmap.
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2. Formation of Net Zero Hunter
2.1 Introduction
The methodology for the formation of Net Zero Hunter (NZH) was to bring key stakeholders together around a common goal of helping to shape a net zero future for the Hunter Region and to develop a conceptual roadmap for the region.
Three stakeholder workshops were conducted between June and November 2021.
- 9 June 2021 - Workshop 1 created a shared vision for Net Zero Hunter
- 4 November 2021 - Workshop 2 applied futures thinking to develop a pathway to Net Zero
- 11 November 2021 - Workshop 3 identified key actions and milestones
2.2 Workshop 1 - Creating a shared vision for Net Zero Hunter
Net Zero Hunter formed at a kickoff workshop 9 June 2021 as an alliance between Hunter region businesses, Local and State Government, and Education and Research Institutions under an initiative led by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment through the Sustainability Advantage Program. Initially NZH has been based on the lessons learnt from the recently formed Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance (MECLA) convened by WWF.
It was recognised that a number of organisations in the region had made commitments to achieve net zero and that a collaborative and strategic approach was required to unlock opportunities by promoting capabilities and attracting investment and key partnerships to the region.
The purpose of the workshop was as follows:
- Understand the business context of achieving net zero in the Hunter
- Frame market opportunities
- Identify key barriers and enablers
- Develop a range of initial ideas for the formation of Net Zero Hunter
The stakeholders agreed a shared vision for Net Zero Hunter (NZH).
NZH seeks to lay the foundations for low emissions industries by building enabling infrastructure and increasing the capability of supply chains, fostering and supporting the emergence of net zero outcomes in the Hunter Region.
The objectives of NZH include:
- Develop a roadmap for the Hunter region to transition to a net zero economy
- Build industry skills, confidence and knowledge, reducing risk for the transition to a net zero economy
- Support emerging and next generation net zero technologies to move along a pathway to commercialisation through the research, development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment stages
- Support business models that are novel in application to reduce risk and accelerate technology transfer into the local economy with a view to establishing export markets for net zero solutions
- Inform regulatory decisions and standards development by other agencies.
To date, NZH has brought together some of the region's leading capability in sustainability, engineering, and research and development as well as critical high emitting stakeholders who will be key actors in the transition to a net zero economy.
Click the image to download the report for workshop 1.
2.3 Workshop 2 applied futures thinking to develop a pathway to Net Zero
NZH stakeholders developed a conceptual roadmap using a futures thinking methodology. Rather than rely on a single future to inform a Hunter roadmap for net zero, Net Zero Hunter stakeholders explored a range of plausible futures or scenarios that might play out using a predictive, exploratory, normative and reflexive method.
The foundation of this process rested upon the three horizons model which is a futures design approach to help work with uncertainty and navigate transitions. Each horizon is represented horizontally across a linear timeline.
After outlining the future desired state for the Hunter in 2050, stakeholders used a back-casting method to ideate the most opportune pathways, feedback loops and actions Net Zero Hunter could take to reach that future considering key drivers of change.
The output of this workshop informs the basis of the Net Zero Hunter conceptual roadmap included later in this report.
The stakeholders in NZH identified a vision for the Hunter in 2050 that included eleven strategic outcomes/opportunities for the region through the development and implementation of a net zero roadmap.
Click the image below to download the report for workshop 2.
2.4 Workshop 3 identified key actions and milestones
In the third workshop the participants took these 11 future outcomes and worked backwards to map on a timeline (using digital sticky notes) the key steps and activities required to bring them about.
Each participant worked on an individual timeline and then ‘rotated’ to the next one after a set period of time. This allowed them to see the timelines evolve, glean inspiration from other participants’ suggestions, and to contribute their own ideas.
After participants had rotated through all timelines and had arrived back to their initial one, they organised the information on that timeline and then presented the ‘future story’ back to the group.
Click the image below to download the outcomes report for workshop 3.
2.5 Net Zero Hunter Roadmap
Next the team analysed, synthesised and consolidated all the knowledge and insights from the three workshops into an overarching roadmap for the Hunter Region.
This roadmap is detailed in section 4 of the report.
2.6 Summary
Net Zero Hunter (NZH) was formed in June 2021 as an alliance between Hunter region businesses, Local and State Government, and Education and Research Institutions under an initiative led by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment through the Sustainability Advantage Program. NZH is modelled on the recently formed Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance (MECLA) convened by WWF.
It was recognised that a number of organisations in the region had made commitments to achieve net zero and that a collaborative and strategic approach was required to unlock opportunities by promoting capabilities and attracting investment and key partnerships to the region.
NZH seeks to lay the foundations for low emissions industries by building enabling infrastructure and increasing the capability of supply chains, fostering and supporting the emergence of net zero industries in the Hunter Region.
To date, NZH has brought together some of the region's leading capability in sustainability, engineering, and research and development as well as critical high emitting stakeholders who will be key actors in the transition to a net zero economy.
The following are some of the organisations that have participated in NZH workshops and contributed to the roadmap.
3. Baseline of Regional Emissions
The Hunter region is a carbon-intensive-job-exposed region with a number of large scope 1 emission sources including electricity generation, coal mining, and industrial processes.
Scope 1 emissions from Hunter industries in 2017-18 were estimated to be 53.8 mega-tonnes CO2e including:
- 36.8 MtCO2e from electricity generation
- 7.6 MtCO2e from fugitive emissions (gas and coal)
- 3.4 MtCO2e from stationary energy (direct combustion)
- 2.6 MtCO2e industrial processes and product use
- 1.8 MtCO2e from road transport
- 0.9 MtCO2e from agriculture
- 0.6 MtCO2e from waste
Scope 2 emissions from the Hunter region in 2017-18 were estimated to be 13.3 mega-tonnes CO2e.
Scope 3 emissions were not included in the baseline analysis due to the lack of available data. Scope 3 emissions should be considered in future work as they are anticipated to be significant. For example the Port of Newcastle exported a total of 158 million tonnes of coal in 2020 which using Australian National Greenhouse Account factors would be responsible for approximately 384 MtCO2e of scope 3 emissions (over 50 times the scope 1 emissions of the sector).
"The support for action on climate [in the Hunter] is there, but what’s changed is the recognition that the related economic changes are an inevitable shift we need to tackle. If we play our cards right, we’ll be able to grow new employing sectors and decarbonise economic anchors like aluminium, at the same time as coal power and ultimately mining tail off"
Warwick Jordan
Hunter Jobs Alliance
Decarbonisation is already underway.
Transition planning is the key.
Significant decarbonisation activities have already commenced within the Hunter region including the following:
- Closure of Liddell Power Station (2023)
- Tomago Aluminium powered by 100% renewables (2029)
- Closure of Eraring Power Station in (2032)
- Closure of Bayswater Power Station in (2035)
- Reduction in coal mining activity with estimated 50% reduction by 2050
- Electrification of the passenger vehicle fleet.
The chart shows the forecast for regional scope one emissions based on the above activities with 78% reduction in scope 1 emissions already proposed for the region.
Therefore, as the shift towards a net zero economy is underway, the challenge for NZH and the region is not one of how we decarbonise, it is how do we transition and create opportunities for employment and economic activity whilst adapting to this dynamic environment.
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4. Net Zero Hunter Roadmap
A Local Plan to Transition to Net Zero
4.1 Introduction
The Hunter region is an energy, research, and innovation powerhouse, with complimentary infrastructure and industrial expertise to accelerate a range of net zero solutions including energy storage, advanced manufacturing, hydrogen production, renewable energy, low emissions building materials, and agriculture.
Stakeholders from the region have come together under Net Zero Hunter to develop a vision for the Hunter in 2050 and to identify key actions to achieve this future. It was also recognised that decarbonisation activities have already commenced in the region and therefore a critical activity was the progressive transition of employment in the region by taking a proactive approach to shaping the solutions deployed to achieve net zero.
The stakeholders have identified eleven key opportunity areas where the Hunter region has a unique combination of characteristics that creates a natural advantage for the development of net zero solutions.
4.2 The Path to Net Zero
By 2025...
The Hunter has set the conditions for the creation of new industries in the region by the establishment of a net zero investment hub. The hub will support venture capital for new and emerging net zero opportunities as well as institutional investment to support large scale transition projects like large scale energy storage integrated into the renewable energy zones. The region will have demonstrated it is an attractive location for new infrastructure in energy storage, renewable energy, hydrogen, and low emissions building materials like green aluminium, steel and concrete.
By 2035...
The Hunter has been established as the “silicon valley” of net zero solutions with deployed and scaled technology demonstrations in large scale energy storage, agri-solar precincts deployed on remediated mining land in the upper hunter, hydrogen production, and is a leading exporter of net zero aluminium products.
By 2040...
The Hunter has a thriving economy providing jobs to thousands of skilled workers, including zero emissions equipment manufacturing and a series of mutually supporting industries including energy storage manufacturing, net zero building materials (steel, aluminium, concrete), hydrogen production, agri-solar and regenerative agricultural regions, and a sophisticated net zero financial services sector. The region will be known as an international exporter of hydrogen, battery technology, and net zero building materials.
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Strategic Vision
The Hunter will smoothly transition to a net zero economy by becoming Australia’s leading net zero solutions manufacturing region through the combination of industries, research, innovation and education capability and will be a international exporter of hydrogen, battery technology, and net zero building materials whilst creating jobs and economic benefits to the region.
4.3 Strategic Outcomes
Through a series of workshops, the stakeholders in NZH identified a vision for the Hunter in 2050 that included eleven strategic outcomes/opportunities for the region through the development and implementation of a net zero roadmap.
Outcome 1 - Establish a Hunter Authority/Commission
Establish a central coordinating authority to manage the regional transition to a net zero economy.
Outcome 2 - Create one of Australia’s Most Liveable Regions
Establish the region an exemplar in managing a transition to net zero with high quality employment across the region, strong economic performance, strong social infrastructure (environment, arts, culture), and a healthy clean environment.
Outcome 3 - Destination for Net Zero Investment
Position the Hunter region as a key destination for investment in net zero solutions with a significant venture capital capability.
Outcome 4 - Leader in Advanced Manufacturing
Build on the region's industrial and R&D capability by growing an advanced manufacturing base for net zero technologies like electrolysers, industrial scale electric vehicles, battery and energy storage tech, agtech, and green chemicals.
Outcome 5 - The Energy Storage Hub for NSW
Support large energy consumers in the region to transition to 100% renewables by providing firmed renewable energy supply through large scale energy storage. The retirement of Liddell, Eraring, and Bayswater Power stations creates an opportunity to leverage existing infrastructure to support large scale energy storage precincts and battery manufacturing capabilities.
Outcome 6 - A Thriving Agri-solar Precinct in the Upper Hunter
Repurpose remediated mining land in the Upper Hunter for renewable energy generation to support industrial capacity and regenerative agriculture and carbon farming to create carbon offsets for difficult to abate fugitive emissions from industrial processes.
Outcome 7 - Major Hydrogen Hub
Drive innovation in local hydrogen supply chains, from production to end use, creating opportunities across the local economy, and positioning the Hunter as a major renewable energy exporter.
Outcome 8 - Leading Producer of Net Zero Metals
Support the supply of 100% renewables to existing aluminium production and support the Illawarra to transition to green steel through R&D and technology support. Explore opportunities for bringing green steel making back to the Hunter and explore opportunities for “energy” metals processing for battery components.
Outcome 9 - Leader in Circular Economy
Establish a circular economy manufacturing precinct for precious metals recovery from urban mining and utilise the region's extensive fly ash reserves for net zero concrete production to support the construction of infrastructure .
Outcome 10 - Smart Water Infrastructure
Support the balancing or water needs between community and industry (eg hydrogen production) through intelligent water utilisation and perhaps desalination.
Outcome 11- Global Leader in Net Zero R&D
Enhance the existing region's powerful R&D capability to become the leading region for net zero research capabilities.
The following section outlines short, medium and long term actions that the NZH partners have identified as being required to achieve these outcomes.
Short term: 2022 to 2025
Medium term: 2026 to 2030
Long term: 2031 to 2050
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Outcome 1 - Establish a Hunter Authority /Commission
Stakeholders identified that the region required a dedicated organisation to oversee and coordinate the numerous initiatives across the Hunter.
Stakeholders identified the Greater Sydney Commission as an example of how a Hunter Authority/Commission might operate.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
The Hunter Jobs Alliance has done some preliminary work on this outcome already in their report BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: A ‘Hunter Valley Authority’ to Secure Our Region’s Prosperity (HUNTER JOBS ALLIANCE, JUNE 2021).
A number of stakeholders identified the Committee for the Hunter as the natural lead for this role.
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Outcome 2 - Create one of Australia’s Most Liveable Regions
Stakeholders identified that the shift to net zero is inevitable and that the challenge for the region was one of proactively managing the transition. The vision for the Hunter in 2050 is a region with high quality and high paying jobs, strong economic performance, strong social infrastructure (environment, arts, culture), and a healthy clean environment.
The region is also seen as an exemplar in managing a transition to net zero and the “Hunter Approach” is adopted by other regions around the world.
It is recognised that a proactive approach is required to achieve this outcome.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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Outcome 3 - Destination for Net Zero Investment
A key gap identified during the stakeholder engagement was the need to position the region as a leading destination for net zero investment.
This investment would need to be able to support emerging technologies through R&D through to scale up and would therefore require a mixture of Government support, venture capital, and institutional investment in the region.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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Outcome 4 - Leader in Advanced Manufacturing
Building on the region's industrial and R&D capability by growing an advanced manufacturing base for net zero technologies like electrolysers, industrial scale electric vehicles, battery and energy storage tech, agtech, and green chemicals.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
Beyond Zero Emissions has already undertaken key pieces of work related to the above with their Repowering Australian Manufacturing and Renewable Energy Industrial Precincts reports.
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Outcome 5 - The Energy Storage Hub for NSW
Through a series of workshops, the stakeholders in Net Zero Hunter identified the opportunity to establish a large scale energy storage manufacturing and maintenance industry in the region.
The planned closures of Liddell Power Station in 2023, Eraring Power Station in 2032 and Bayswater Power Station in 2035 provide a significant opportunity to repurpose the infrastructure (and human resources) for large scale energy storage.
This storage capability can support Tomago Aluminium’s goal of 100% renewables by 2029. Supplying Tomago aluminium with 100% firmed renewable energy is going to require large energy storage services connected to local renewable production as well as the renewable energy zones. The additional of pumped hydro using mine sites is also an option to explore.
This large-scale energy storage capability can also provide NSW with firmed renewable energy from the NSW Renewable Energy Zones.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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Outcome 6 - A Thriving Agri-Solar Precinct in the Upper Hunter
The expected decline of coal mining in the region creates an opportunity for the repurposing of remediated mining land and mine site infrastructure (HV electrical networks, heavy rail) in the Upper Hunter for renewable energy generation. This energy can support industrial capacity, regenerative agriculture and carbon farming to create carbon offsets for difficult-to-abate fugitive emissions from industrial processes.
Tomago aluminium has committed to 100% renewables by 2029 which creates a market for local large scale solar with an estimated 8000MW of PV capacity required to interface with the proposed energy storage infrastructure (large batteries and pumped hydro).
The repurposing of remediated mining land using regenerative agriculture to increase soil carbon as a way to offset difficult-to-abate scope 1 emissions from industrial processes was identified as an opportunity for the region to expand its agricultural production whilst also reducing emissions.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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Outcome 7 - Major Hydrogen Hub
Drive innovation in local hydrogen supply chains, from production to end use, creating opportunities across the local economy, and positioning the Hunter as a major renewable energy exporter.
The Hunter will be Australia’s leading hydrogen hub and technology cluster, demonstrated by excellence in hydrogen research, innovation, technology and education, production, use, export and employment participation across the supply chain.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
Substantial activity is already being undertaken for this outcomes via NewH2 and Committee for the Hunter as outlines in the Hunter Hydrogen Roadmap published by the Committee for the Hunter.
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Outcome 8 - Leading Producer of Net Zero Metals
Tomago Aluminium have announced the intention to move to 100% renewables by 2029. This creates opportunities for the region to support the supply of 100% renewables to to meet Tomago’s goals. Tomago Aluminium will also require firmed renewable energy supply to meet its production process creating further opportunities in energy storage.
The NZH stakeholders also identified the opportunity for other Net Zero Metals production, such as working with the Illawarra region to support green steel making by suppllying technology and manufacturing capability, and exploring opportunities for “energy” metals processing for battery components.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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Outcome 9 - Leader in Circular Economy
The Hunter has a natural advantage in activating circular economy opportunities from recovery, reuse, repurposing and recycling.
Between now and 2050, the region will be establish a circular economy manufacturing precinct for precious metals recovery from urban mining and utilise the region's extensive fly ash reserves for net zero concrete production to support the construction of infrastructure.
The region will also lead the development of bio-circular opportunities through the development of a bio-circular precinct.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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Outcome 10 - Smart Water Infrastructure
To support the balancing or water needs between community, environment and industry (eg hydrogen production, agriculture) there will be a need to focus on intelligent water utilisation in the region.
The use of solutions like digital smart water technology, floating solar, waste water utilisation, and even desalination will be essential to position the region as a major hydrogen producer whilst also meeting local water needs.
Water infrastructure can also be utilised as a form of energy storage and demand side management to support the electrical grid.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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Outcome 11 - Global Leader in Net Zero R&D
The Hunter has a strong track record of industry led collaboration and research commercialisation supporting the energy and resource sector. The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources and the CSIRO Energy Centre are nationally recognised research institutions. Large scale demonstration projects are underway that are attracting external funding with national and international partners.
The roadmap seeks to enhance the existing region's powerful R&D capabilities to become the leading region for net zero research.
The following are the key milestones to be achieved in the decarbonisation roadmap in order to achieve this outcome.
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5. Transition Case Studies
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment engaged the Future Together Group to document a series of case studies looking at communities that had faced a challenging regional transition.
This document provided an overview of five (5) case studies from Europe that demonstrate different approaches to the transition challenge including:
- Rotterdam
- Flanders
- Hauts-de-France
- Helsinki
- Yorkshire Humber
The case studies include lessons for transitions here in the Hunter and identify key enablers in making sustainable change happen.
Click the image to download a copy of the full case studies report.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a working-class city of just over 600,000 people and home to Europe’s largest port. For decades, Rotterdam was depicted as a gritty industrial city; not only a European fossil fuel hub but also beset by unemployment and crime rate issues. Over the past two decades, the city has undergone radical transformation to become one of the world’s most innovative cities on the pathway to a truly sustainable region.
The City of Rotterdam has developed numerous regulations, policies, frameworks and roadmaps to support the transition, but it is widely recognised that the Rotterdam approach of “we don’t talk, we just do” is rapidly driving the move to a more sustainable and inclusive city.
Experimentation and implementation are at the heart of leading practice sustainability transitions across the city, including at the Port of Rotterdam, in the development of its circular economy, and in the transformation of the built environment.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: ROTTERDAM
- 1.Experimentation and alliance building are the bedrocks of transition
- 2.Understanding ‘what is possible’ through strategic foresight underpins cultural adaptation to change
- 3.Actions speak louder than words
Flanders
Flanders, the autonomous Dutch-Speaking northern region of Belgium, has a long history of economic prosperity, creativity and innovation. Unlike other ‘transition stories’, where significant economic hardship and regional decline compel a region to transform, Flanders is using its prosperity, governance systems and innovation culture to transition existing successful industries to more sustainable footings.
The foundations for Flanders’ success and ongoing innovation are a focus on:
- Cleantech Collaboration
- Circularity Support
- Green Finance
KEY TAKEAWAYS: FLANDERS
- 1.Collaboration and critical supporting structures (e.g. research, incubators) drive successful regional transitions
- 2.Historical prosperity and productivity can be harnessed for the new economy
- 3.Finance is critical to transformation
Hauts-de-france
Located in the north of France – combining the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie regions – Hauts-de-France is the second most populated region of France (~6m).
The region has been, and continues to be, the industrial heartland of France. Formerly a major global player in the coal, steel and textiles industries, structural adjustment has significantly impacted the region over the past four decades. Today, the region continues to prosper in manufacturing (including cars – Renault, Peugeot, Fiat, Toyota), agriculture, energy generation (nuclear), and transport.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: HAUTS-DE-FRANCE
- 1.Narratives play an integral part in successful transitions
- 2.History is tied to culture and must be addressed before transformation
- 3.Vision, participatory frameworks and financial/ non-financial supporting services are essential for project implementation and involvement
Helsinki
The Finnish capital, Helsinki, is beautiful and unique. Set on the coast and surrounded by islands and green space, the city is vibrant, laid-back and a centre for creativity, design, and festivals.
These attributes also drive an ambitious and practical transition process. In Helsinki, every part of life – economic and social – is underpinned by a desire for better environmental outcomes, well-being, community and happiness.
The approach adopted across Helsinki is to incorporate carbon-abatement, pollution reduction, green energy, circular economy, bio-innovation, productivity, creativity, well-being and inclusiveness into every policy and project.
This ubiquitous approach to change manifests in a multi-directional transition agenda; with top-down, large-scale measures complemented by bottom-up, individual measures to address the sustainability challenge.
Top-Down, Large-Scale measures include the policies, strategies, frameworks and roadmaps that guide action and large sustainability projects (including heating systems, improved built environment practices and major energy-user transitions).
Bottom-Up, Individual measures include the focus on developing ecological thinking in all citizens and the many community initiatives adding up to big change.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: HELSINKI
- 1.Creating frameworks for action leads to both large-scale and community-level innovations
- 2.Ecological thinking and ethos can be cultivated using participatory methods
- 3.Sustainability transitions are accelerated where new ‘cleantech’ meets new ‘digitech’
Yorkshire Humber
The adjacent counties of Yorkshire and the Humber in the north-east of England are often branded together in recognition of their similar economic, geographic and social settings. Indeed, Yorkshire and the Humber is one of nine official regions of England.
Yorkshire and the Humber has a proud history as an industrial powerhouse, providing much of the energy and materials for the UK’s economic growth since the nineteenth century.
As a major energy, and chemicals producer, international gateway and manufacturing economy, a significant part of the UK economy depends in some way on what happens in the region.
Around 360,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber work in high or very-high-emitting jobs that are likely to be affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Regional governments have sought to address the need for transition through a largely single-minded focus on: Jobs, Jobs, and more Jobs.
The approach resembles a smart specialisation strategy, where the region has focused on its own competitive advantages, skills base and expertise and aligned this with the future economic reality. Yorkshire and the Humber is capitalising on its ports and location next to North Sea offshore wind to once again make big energy and innovation plays and maintain its position as an industrial powerhouse.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: YORKSHIRE HUMBER
- 1.Historically-strong fossil fuel industries can be future-strong green industries
- 2.Large-scale solutions deliver large-scale outcomes, including jobs
- 3.Focusing on comparative advantages and experience leads to locally-appropriate innovation
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6. Conclusion
6.1 Project Summary
To date, NZH has brought together some of the region's leading capability in sustainability, engineering, and research and development as well as critical high emitting stakeholders who will be key actors in the transition to a net zero economy.
Through a series of workshops the NZH stakeholders developed a conceptual roadmap outlining 11 strategic outcomes and opportunities for the Hunter Region. This conceptual roadmap forms the foundation to attract future investment from other State and Federal Government funding opportunities.
6.2 Next Steps
It is proposed that the next phase of NZH should move towards collaborative projects to advance the strategic outcomes identified by stakeholders. Four projects have been identified from the workshops. These projects are:
- 1.Establishment of a Circular Economy innovation hub in the Hunter including exploring regional opportunities, establishment of a circular economy living lab capability, and activation of demonstration projects.
- 2.Activation of a local (within the Hunter Region) large scale solar and agri-solar projects to support local commitments to 100% renewables (eg Tomago Aluminium) including identification of sites, innovation opportunities (community solar gardens, virtual power stations and energy storage), PV recycling and reuse, and an investment attraction event.
- 3.Net Zero Investment activation. Stakeholders identified the need for investment capital across the innovation chain (early stage seed funding through to Institutional investment) to be attracted to the region. This project would seek to establish a regional investment event (similar to Impact X) to showcase innovation and investment opportunities with the aim of raising the profile of the region as a net zero investment destination.
- 4.Development of a net zero technology roadmap for the region to identify priority manufacturing and R&D needs.
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