🌍 Cleantech for UK’s Responds to the Innovation, Growth, and the Regions Inquiry

Earlier this month, Cleantech for UK had the privilege of meeting with the Chair of the Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee, Chi Onwurah MP, to discuss the vital role of cleantech innovation in driving regional growth across the UK.

This meeting coincided with an invitation to submit evidence to the committee’s Innovation, Growth, and the Regions Inquiry. As an advocacy body working to bridge the gap between innovators, investors, and policymakers, we were eager to contribute. Our coalition—spanning early-stage VCs, company builders, and institutional investors—collaborated to craft a response that reflects both on-the-ground realities and strategic priorities for scaling cleantech across the UK.

Key Recommendations

1. Prioritise Clean Technologies
   Support solutions that deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits across all regions of the UK.
2. Empower Local Governments
   Equip local authorities to highlight and champion the broader societal benefits that cleantech innovation can deliver.
3. Flexible Funding for R&D
   Improve resource allocation and provide greater flexibility in funding use to accelerate cleantech research and development.
4. Support Local Energy Plans
   Prioritise and endorse Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) to ensure alignment between national strategies and local energy needs.
5. Publish a National Transition Plan
   Complement LAEPs with a clear, overarching strategy that provides a roadmap for achieving net-zero while fostering economic growth.

Core Principles for Accelerating Cleantech Innovation

To effectively drive innovation and growth, our coalition has identified key principles at both the national and local levels:

At the National Level:

• De-risk Market Entry
  Improve access to national funding mechanisms for locally driven cleantech projects. Address the current reliance on overseas strategic investors for First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) projects, which risks widening regional disparities in economic development.
• Clear Policy Frameworks
  Establish consistent strategies—such as an Industrial Strategy and a National Transition Plan—to provide long-term stability and attract private investment.

At the Local Level:

• Build Innovation Hubs
  Support regional cities with the population density, infrastructure, and talent pools necessary to foster cleantech innovation.
• Enhance Connectivity
  Strengthen transport and digital links between regions and key innovation centres to create vibrant ecosystems that support growth.
• Leverage Knowledge Institutions
  Empower research organisations to provide expertise in climate science, systems engineering, and lifecycle analysis to support sustainable cleantech solutions.

Through this inquiry, Cleantech for UK hopes to inspire action that bridges regional divides, strengthens innovation hubs, and positions the UK as a global leader in cleantech. By aligning national ambitions with local strengths, the UK can unlock the full potential of its cleantech sector, driving growth while achieving its clean regional growth.