Delivering ‘Thriving Net Zero Communities in the West Midlands’– insights from a participatory systems mapping process for local authorities

The UK has a legally binding commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and multiple statutory responsibilities related to mitigation actions are held at local or regional authority levels. However, local authorities face multiple political, financial and service pressures. Adopting a “whole-systems approach” which addresses complexity across interrelated sectors is necessary to achieve significant progress and to optimise co-benefits, but systems thinking is not currently formally embedded in local government. Using the West Midlands’ journey to net zero as a case study, this research explores the use of participatory systems mapping with local and regional authority officers to examine the system that would enable ‘thriving, net zero communities in the West Midlands’. Analysis of the systems map, constructed across a workshop and online follow-up sessions, identified opportunities for local and regional authorities to create local benefit whilst delivering on both statutory functions and net zero, by disrupting reinforcing poverty cycles, improving the quality of housing, and increasing skills and employment support. This whole-system approach also highlights the need for different ways of working in local government to facilitate greater cross-team collaboration to address ‘wicked’ problems such as poverty, climate adaptation and resilience.