What Net Zero North East England does

Net Zero North East England is a regional partnership initiative, founded in 2022 and hosted by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (formerly North East Combined Authority), that convenes local government, business, education, the public sector, and civil society to accelerate decarbonisation across the seven North East local authority areas (County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland). The organisation is a coordination and convening body rather than a commercial enterprise: it does not sell products or services, and its headcount is 1-10 employees primarily based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Its strategic mandate covers eight priority areas: Transport, Energy and Heat, Large Emitters, Water/Waste/Pollution, Housing and Buildings, Agriculture/Land Use/Food, Enabling Change, and Adapting to Change.

The entity's core 'products' are the North East Carbon and Nature Marketplace (launched June 2024 as the UK's first Combined Authority-led carbon and nature marketplace, facilitating business investment in peatland restoration, carbon credits, and community forest projects), a 16-indicator evidence dashboard tracking regional progress, and a published case studies library. The Marketplace, funded by the Environment Agency's Local Investment in Natural Capital (LINC) programme, has catalysed over £11m of investible projects and 10,000 carbon credits at launch. The Indicator Dashboard aggregates regional data across Cleaner, Greener, and Fairer categories. Underlying infrastructure is modest — a website, marketplace platform, and evidence hub — with no proprietary AI/ML technology, no software API, and no commercial pricing model.

The business model is publicly funded partnership and grant-based revenue. The organisation is supported by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and draws on multiple public funding streams (including the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Green New Deal Fund, Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Heat Networks Investment Project, and Northern Net Zero Accelerator). Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: convening stakeholders through forums, working groups, conferences (e.g., Clean Energy UK Conference 2025, 400+ delegates), and summits (Warm Homes Summit, Ecofest 2025 with 770+ residents). Customer segments are regional stakeholders — local authorities, net zero businesses (1,100+ firms with 27,000 employees across 1,330 sites), residents and households (over 500,000 homes needing energy upgrades), public sector bodies, and rural/land-based communities. Governance is via a board jointly chaired by the North East Mayor and a Northumbrian Water representative, with additional board members from the Environment Agency and academic partners.

Name

Net Zero North East England

Legal name

North East Mayoral Strategic Authority

Website

https://netzeronortheastengland.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Net Zero North East England is a publicly funded regional partnership, hosted by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, that convenes local government, business, education, and civil society to accelerate net zero decarbonisation across the seven North East England local authority areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Sustainability Coordination

NAICS

Public Administration (92), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Housing Programs (92511)

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

Decarbonization Strategy & Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) Advisory (EUABAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Net-Zero Target Setting & SBTi/Net-Zero Standard Support (EUABAKAA), Scope 1–3 GHG Inventory Strategy, Data Governance & Controls (advisory) (EUABAKAD), Offsets & Carbon Removal Procurement Strategy (portfolio design, quality screening) (EUABAKAL), Sector-Specific Net-Zero Pathways & Benchmarking (hard-to-abate methodologies) (EUABAKAI)

Keywords

• Regional decarbonisation partnership
• Carbon marketplace platform
• Net zero coordination
• Clean energy transition
• Public sector sustainability

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle Upon Tyne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Partnership and Grant Funding: Net Zero North East England is a publicly funded regional partnership. It receives funding and support through the North East Combined Authority / North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. Project-level funding includes grants from the Environment Agency's Local Investment in Natural Capital (LINC) programme, the Government’s Heat Networks Investment Project, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (Wave 1: £11.6m, Wave 2: up to £800m), Green New Deal Fund (£18m), and the Northern Net Zero Accelerator. The organization does not sell products or services commercially.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Net Zero North East England is a regional partnership initiative that convenes local government, business, education, the public sector, and civil society to accelerate the North East England's transition to net zero carbon. It coordinates action across eight priority areas (Transport, Energy and Heat, Large Emitters, Water/Waste/Pollution, Housing and Buildings, Agriculture/Land Use/Food, Enabling Change, Adapting to Change) and operates the UK's first Combined Authority-led Carbon and Nature Marketplace online platform where buyers can invest in nature restoration projects or purchase carbon credits.

Product overview

Net Zero North East England is a regional partnership initiative — not a single commercial product company. Its core offering consists of the North East Carbon and Nature Marketplace (an online investment platform for carbon credits and nature restoration projects), an Indicator Dashboard tracking 16 net zero progress indicators across the region, and a published Case Studies library showcasing regional net zero initiatives. These components are delivered through a collaboration between local government, business, education, the public sector, and civil society.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• North East Carbon and Nature Marketplace An online platform enabling businesses and organisations to invest in nature preservation and restoration projects or purchase carbon credits within the North East region. Features peatland restoration projects, the North East Community Forest, FareShare North East, and Northumberland Community Energy projects. Targets businesses seeking verifiable carbon offsets and nature-based investments.
• North East Net Zero Evidence Dashboard A public data dashboard tracking 15-16 net zero indicators covering decarbonisation, cleaner growth (green jobs, low carbon economy, innovation), greener environment (renewable energy, waste), and fairer outcomes (transport, housing, public attitudes). Provides evidence-based insights into progress toward Net Zero across the North East region for local authorities, businesses, and researchers.
• Regional Net Zero Partnership Coordination A collaborative partnership programme convening the seven North East local authorities (County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland), regional universities, industry, community organisations, and national government agencies. The programme covers eight priority areas and provides a coordination framework for funding access, strategy development, skills development, and project delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 56% reduction in North East greenhouse gas emissions between 2005 and 2023 (vs 46% for England overall)
• +13 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, key, core, major, key delivery and emerging.

• The Sustainability Community (organiser of Clean Energy UK Conference)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2025Net Zero North East England was headline partner of the Clean Energy UK Conference 2025 (4 November, Crowne Plaza Newcastle). 400+ delegates, 60 speakers. Themes: Power UP, Skill UP, Scale UP. The collaboration positioned the North East as the home of the green energy revolution on a national stage. Founder/CEO Kate Hutchinson leads The Sustainability Community.
• Northumberland Community Energy Ltd (NCEL)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NCEL is a Community Benefit Society launched in 2022 (became formal co-operative in September 2023) installing solar panels on rural community buildings across Northumberland. Goal: 100 solar installations over 5 years. First two installations (31 kWp solar, 50 Wh battery) achieved 98% energy self-sufficiency. Part-funded by North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, National Lottery Community Fund, and North of Tyne Combined Authority's Rural Asset Multiplier Pilot.
• North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (formerly North East Combined Authority / North of Tyne Combined Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNet Zero North East England is hosted and supported by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. The organization operates as a key initiative under the Authority's umbrella, with Mayor Kim McGuinness serving as a primary champion. The partnership provides governance, staffing, and funding access through the combined authority structure. The organization is described as 'a collaboration between local government, business, education, the public sector, and civil society.'
• Durham County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven North East local authorities actively participating in Net Zero North East England. Durham County Council led the district heat network project at Seaham Garden Village and has declared a climate emergency. It has led county-wide initiatives including EV charge point expansion, Business Energy Efficiency support, heat network development, and manages the Durham Climate Emergency Strategic Board & Partnership.
• Gateshead CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGateshead Council hosted the UK's first large-scale mine water district heat network (operational March 2023) and sponsored the Warm Homes Summit organized by Net Zero North East England. Working with residents, businesses, charities, and government toward Zero Carbon Gateshead. Gateshead is a key partner in demonstrating mine water heat technology and district heating solutions.
• Newcastle City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewcastle City Council is developing the Net Zero Newcastle: 2030 Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality within a decade. Newcastle is home to key anchor institutions including Newcastle University (The Centre for Energy), Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust (first healthcare organization in the world to declare a climate emergency), and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
• North Tyneside CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency in 2021 with a target of carbon net-zero by 2030. The council has already achieved a 53% reduction in its own carbon footprint and 47% reduction in the borough's footprint. It operates a Climate Change Hub and runs the Action on Climate Change campaign with local business partners.
• Northumberland County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthumberland County Council is a key local authority partner, operating the Climate Change Team and leading on the Northumberland Community Energy Ltd initiative bringing solar power to rural community buildings. Northumberland hosts the Northumberland National Park, two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and extensive peatland restoration sites.
• South Tyneside CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Tyneside Council declared a climate change emergency on 18 July 2019 and is implementing strategies for real change. Home to Simply Certification — the first UK certification body to offer UKAS-accredited certification for the Flexi-Orb scheme covering Solar PV, EESS, and EV charging installations.
• Sunderland City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunderland City Council achieved global recognition as a WWF One Planet City Challenge Global Winner 2024. Key initiatives include planting 47 hectares of trees since 2021, the annual EcoFest Sunderland (770+ attendees in 2025), facilitating the 100% renewable electricity Microgrid with Nissan/AESC UK, and hosting the Environmental, Green Sustainable (EGS) youth forum.
• Mining Remediation AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mining Remediation Authority is spearheading mine water heating initiatives across former coalfields. Led the Gateshead mine water heat network (UK's first, operational March 2023) and the Seaham Garden Village project (UK's first large-scale mine water heat project using a mine water treatment scheme). Has 80+ mine water treatment schemes across the UK with potential for dual-purpose heat generation.
• Karbon HomesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern housing association providing 750 affordable homes at Seaham Garden Village connected to the pioneering mine water heat system. Receiving £165m from Homes England to deliver 2,200 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire. CEO Paul Fiddaman serves as Chair of the Northern Housing Consortium. Partnered with Esh Group as delivery partner.
• Vital Energikey deliveryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed to design, build, and operate the low-carbon mine water heat system at Seaham Garden Village for a 40-year period. Responsible for the Energy Centre that captures geothermal heat from warm mine water and upgrades it to domestic heating levels via heat pumps.
• Gateshead Council (Warm Homes Summit sponsor)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGateshead Council sponsored the Warm Homes Summit organized by Net Zero North East England at The Glasshouse. The summit convened developers, installers, training providers, investors, and all seven North East local authorities to advance heat network deployment. Speakers included representatives from FairHeat, PPSL, Oakes Energy, North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, EQUANS, SE2 Ltd, and Insite Energy.
• Northumberland Peat PartnershipkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the first projects on the Carbon and Nature Marketplace — delivering peatland restoration in Northumberland. Peatland restoration contributes to carbon sequestration, biodiversity, water quality improvement, and flood mitigation. The partnership enables private investment in local environmental projects.
• North Pennines National Landscape teamkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivering a peatland restoration project (County Durham) on the Carbon and Nature Marketplace. The North Pennines contains the largest blanket bog system in England covering 100,000 hectares. Since 2006, over half this area has been brought under restoration — an area 4 times the size of Newcastle — with over £40m of funding brought to the uplands.
• Demeter (Sedgefield-based water management platform)emergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning water management platform helping businesses and public sector organizations (Newcastle University, Sunderland City Council, Durham County Council) save water and reduce carbon. Durham City Council achieved a cumulative reduction of 195,000 litres/week, saving 10 million litres/year and 3,500 kg CO2. Demeter's Utilities Manager platform provides real-time water monitoring, leak detection, and carbon-equivalent reporting.
• VEST (Newcastle-based energy company — GreenBattery)emergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVEST, led by Managing Founder Aaron Lally, launched GreenBattery — a pioneering fully-funded battery storage solution for commercial and industrial energy users. The company is working with a large car manufacturer in the region, industrial estates, care homes, hotel chains, and community centres in Northumberland. GreenBattery represents a model for unlocking clean energy opportunities in the North East.
• North East & Yorkshire Net Zero HubkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collaboration between government and six Local Enterprise Partnerships in the North East and Yorkshire, accelerating the transition to net zero and clean growth through local energy delivery. Referenced as a key partner on the Useful Links page and a speaker at the Warm Homes Summit.
• Going Green TogetherkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerA programme supporting the North East and Cumbria's VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) sector towards Net Zero. Referenced on Net Zero North East England's Useful Links page as a key partner for community engagement and support.
• Northumbria UniversitykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthumbria University published an academic paper (with Innovate UK support) on Gateshead's pioneering mine water district heat network, using the COM-B behavioural science model to explore resident adoption. The research is informing future engagement activities for district heat network rollout. Northumbria is also a partner in the Ashington Campus development.
• Education Partnership North East / Northumberland CollegekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation Partnership North East is delivering the £52m+ 'net zero' Ashington Campus (due to open 2026) at Advance Northumberland's Wansbeck Park. The campus will feature advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction skills, and a hub for young people with SEND. Led by CEO Ellen Thinnesen, with Bowmer + Kirkland as design and build contractor.
• Newcastle University (The Centre for Energy / Arrow programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewcastle University's Centre for Energy, directed by Professor Sara Walker (government net zero adviser), is a key academic partner. The Arrow programme provides SMEs with access to university research support. Newcastle University is part of the North East Energy Catalyst partnership and collaborates with all five North East universities on energy research.
• Nissan / AESC UK (Sunderland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNissan and AESC UK are facilitating the development of a first-of-its-kind 100% renewable electricity Microgrid in Sunderland, supporting green manufacturing for electric vehicle and battery production. This is part of Sunderland City Council's climate action plan and a flagship project for the region's EV/clean manufacturing ambitions.
• North East Community ForestkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerA major woodland creation initiative as part of the Great Northumberland Forest. Planning to plant 500 hectares of woodland over the next five years (North East Community Forest). Sunderland has planted 47 hectares since 2021. Referenced as a project on the Carbon and Nature Marketplace for business investment.
• Nexus (Tyne and Wear Metro)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNexus operates Tyne and Wear Metro and has published an Environment and Sustainability Strategy. Partnering with The Glasshouse to offer free Metro travel with concert tickets — reducing scope three emissions from audience travel. Represented at Ecofest 2025 with information on sustainable transport options.
• The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Gateshead)emergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Glasshouse ICOM (international music venue) has been monitoring carbon emissions since 2012 and is implementing a 2030 development plan prioritising building decarbonisation. It is a partner in the Warm Homes Summit (host venue) and collaborates with Nexus on sustainable audience travel. Also part of the European Jazz Network's Green Pilot Tour.
• Sunderland City Council (client of Demeter)keyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDemeter's water management solutions have been implemented across 81 Sunderland City Council locations. 71% of these sites have successfully reduced water consumption, demonstrating the effectiveness of real-time monitoring and conservation strategies in driving resource efficiency for local government.
• Northumbrian WaterkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthumbrian Water Group's carbon emissions fell from 303,000 tonnes in 2008 to 22,000 tonnes in 2022 — on track for Net Zero by 2027. CEO Heidi Mottram serves as Vice Chair of the North East LEP and Joint Chair of Net Zero North East England. Northumbrian Water was rated in the Environmental Performance Assessment 2024 and manages Kielder Water (regional water supply resilience asset).
• Community Action NorthumberlandkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Action Northumberland is a key partner in the Northumberland Community Energy Ltd initiative and the Rural Design Centre Innovation Project (RDCIP). The RDCIP, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and North of Tyne Combined Authority, delivered workshops on net zero to 75+ rural businesses in Northumberland.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) — OPCC ProgrammeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWWF's One Planet City Challenge named Sunderland a Global Winner for 2024, providing international recognition for the North East region's climate leadership. 359 cities from 48 countries participated. This recognition amplifies the region's global profile as a destination for clean energy investment.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority: LCRCA runs a climate and sustainability programme convening its six constituent local authorities and partners on net zero delivery. Similar convening architecture targeting place-based decarbonisation, retrofit, and clean growth outcomes.
• West Midlands Combined Authority: WMCA operates a regional net zero and climate adaptation programme across the West Midlands, including a regional energy plan and housing retrofit coordination. Comparable structure as a combined-authority-led convening body for decarbonisation with similar funding-channeling role.
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Climate and Green City work): Greater Manchester Combined Authority runs its own GM Environment Plan and Green City region-wide climate programme, convening local authorities, businesses, and communities. Directly comparable as a UK combined-authority-led regional decarbonisation initiative with similar convening, evidence, and place-based investment functions.

Others

• Climate Change Committee (CCC): The CCC is the independent UK statutory adviser on climate change, setting national carbon budgets and tracking progress. Comparable as an evidence-based climate advisory body but at the national rather than regional scale.

Broad incumbents

• Anthesis Group: Anthesis is a global sustainability consultancy delivering decarbonisation strategy, climate advisory, and ESG services to corporates and public sector. Adjacent comparison as a commercial sustainability consultancy with similar advisory outputs (target-setting, MACC, sector pathways).
• Carbon Trust: Carbon Trust is an established sustainability advisory organisation supporting organisations and governments worldwide on net zero strategy, carbon credits, and decarbonisation. Comparable as a sustainability strategy advisory entity, but operates at much larger scale and across geographies.
• Local Government Association (LGA) Net Zero Programme: The LGA supports UK councils on climate change and net zero through guidance, funding access, and convening networks. Adjacent peer offering national-level convening and capacity-building for local authorities on decarbonisation.
• London Climate Change Programme (GLA / Mayor of London): Greater London Authority runs a comprehensive climate change programme including the London Environment Strategy, retrofit programmes, and a regional carbon marketplace pilot. Operates at much larger scale than Net Zero NE but serves the same place-based convening and decarbonisation-strategy function.

Direct peers

• North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub: A collaboration between government and six Local Enterprise Partnerships in the North East and Yorkshire that accelerates local energy delivery and net zero. Direct peer operating in overlapping geography on local energy project development and stakeholder engagement.
• Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE): CSE is a UK national charity that supports communities, local authorities, and governments on climate action, energy advice, and net zero strategy. Directly comparable as a UK non-profit / public-purpose organisation providing decarbonisation advisory and convening services to local government and communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/net-zero-north-east-england

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Net Zero North East England