Westmorland and Furness Council has been announced as the winner of the ‘Local and Public Sector Net Zero Transformation Award’ at the 2025 Green Energy Awards, hosted by Regen at an awards dinner held in Bristol.
The award acknowledges the crucial role that local and public sector leadership plays in transforming the UK’s energy system for a net zero future.
The council’s submission, ‘Westmorland and Furness Council – 2024: the First Year in Our Journey to Net Zero’, sets out the decarbonisation work that has been completed during the first year of their five-year carbon management strategy and action plans and the achievements made on their journey to becoming carbon net zero by 2037.
Committed to net zero by 2037, the council launched a Carbon Management Strategy and Climate Action Plan in 2024.
Achievements include a 2 MW solar farm, Passivhaus retrofits, and energy upgrades, saving 507 tonnes of CO2 annually. With £26m in investments, it fosters a just transition through community involvement and tackles environmental inequalities.
Judges said Westmorland and Furness stood out for its "ambitious yet practical" approach to net zero, delivering real change across a range of areas despite the challenges faced.
The Green Energy Awards are a leading national celebration of pioneering innovation and sustainable development in the UK’s energy system. This year, more than 120 entries were submitted by companies, communities and individuals across the UK for consideration in seven categories.
In the Local and Public Sector Net Zero Transformation Award category there were five shortlisted for the award with Westmorland and Furness Council announced as the winner.
Hagshaw Energy Cluster
Rossendale Borough Council/Rossendale Valley Energy partnership
Parrs Wood High School
Westmorland and Furness Council
Cllr Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
“What a fantastic achievement for our council officers and members who have worked hard during the first year of our five-year climate action plan to deliver pioneering projects, getting us off to a great start in our journey to becoming net zero by 2037. Congratulations to all who are involved.”
“Our role is not just to decarbonise our own property and fleet, but also to work with partners such as Zero Carbon Cumbria, Parish and Town Councils and community groups to achieve net zero in our area. I believe we have made a fantastic start in that endeavour.”
Regen chief executive Merlin Hyman said: “ "The Green Energy Awards is Regen’s celebration of the outstanding and vital work being done to lead the way to a zero-carbon energy system. They celebrate the innovative technologies, pioneering companies and exceptional individuals revolutionising the UK’s energy system. My congratulations to all".
The winners in each of the six categories, chosen by a distinguished judging panel, were as follows:
Just Transition Scheme – Energise Barnsley
Clean Energy Project – Ambition Community Energy
Local and Public Sector Net Zero Transformation – Westmorland and Furness Council
Community Energy Initiative – Staffordshire Community Energy
Whole Energy System Innovation – CEPRO
Net Zero Energy Developer – Thrive Renewables
Net Zero Energy Pioneer – Dr Ryan Law
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
