Showcasing an innovative partnership model for whole-town decarbonisation
Clear Futures was proud to take part in the 2025 LGA Conference at ACC Liverpool, highlighting our pioneering approach to community-wide decarbonisation and local delivery.
At an engaged fringe session, we shared how we are working with Lewes District Council on a bold model for place-based energy transition. This work has been identified as a Lighthouse Project by the Sustainable Markets Initiative, for its groundbreaking approach. Our team presented insights into creating investible schemes, deploying smart energy infrastructure, including local generation, low-carbon heat networks, building electrification at scale and EV solutions all resulting in inwards investment and the uplifting of communities.
Speaking at the event were Charlotte Cordingley (CEO, Clear Futures), Helena Rivers (Energy Transition Lead, AECOM), and Ian Fitzpatrick (Planning & Regeneration Lead, Lewes District Council), who each emphasised the importance of public-private collaboration in delivering real-world climate action at town-wide scale. This has been a great opportunity to have manufacturers, consultants, developers, regulators, funders and the Council all working together with the same goal making it possible to achieve outcomes none of us could separately.
After developing a model that brings together multi-sector public and private collaboration, we shared how these innovative partnerships can accelerate net zero ambitions and improve outcomes for local communities. We are now looking to replicate this approach in other communities of a similar scale, bringing across as many learnings as possible while recognising the importance of the identity of place and energy systems in operation in each community.
The model brings in the skills of European and UK energy and infrastructure experts, along with private sector partners who provide a town-wide energy assessment and options for delivery that address local opportunities and needs.
Charlotte Cordingley said: “I was delighted to showcase our innovative approach to powering net zero success through public-private partnerships. This way of working is key, and as we deliver on this ambition, the integrated energy transition plan will uplift communities, creating local jobs and skills.”
Helena Rivers added: “It was great to highlight the outcomes Clear Futures is achieving on the path to a low-carbon future. Innovation and private sector finance are both critical to this success. We’re now focused on delivery, progressing through commercialisation and delivery – There are exciting times ahead.”
Ian Fitzpatrick said: “It was a pleasure to share our learning with others at the conference. When it comes to energy transition, collaboration is essential — and there’s huge value in exchanging ideas across regions and sectors.”
Our Partnership with Lewes & Eastbourne Councils
Eastbourne & Lewes Council’s partnership with Clear Futures focuses on developing long-term sustainable outcomes for the area. To date, the partnership has centred around in-depth strategic support, including research into decarbonising the social housing stock and supporting the development of their Local Plan
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