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Net Zero Living

Embedding design thinking and tools to to drive innovation in the net zero market. 

We supported 47 businesses to drive innovation and investment in the net zero market.

The transition to net zero is the defining challenge of our time, requiring innovation and collaboration. Businesses leading this transition are reshaping entire industries, yet, innovation alone is not enough. To drive real change, products and services must resonate with users, address genuine market needs, and inspire widespread adoption and behaviour change.

In collaboration with Innovate UK's Net Zero Living User-Focused Design programme, we aided 47 businesses across sectors including heat, power, mobility and sustainable manufacturing, to accelerate their net zero ambitions. By developing programme blueprints, providing expert design knowledge and supporting them to monitor and evaluate the overall experience and impact they were able to leverage critical design thinking and tools to grow their business. With the assistance of this programme 73% of innovations progressed to pilot stage demonstrating their proof of concept and market feasibility.

One year after the programme completed, the participating businesses reported they were able to secure £5.7 million in private investment and expand into international markets. Our final report identified a significant design skills gap among businesses innovating in the net zero market and demonstrated how design coaching and user research could strengthen business propositions, de-risk innovation and improve market readiness.

£ 5.7 m
in private investment leveraged by participating businesses following completion of the programme

66.7 %
of businesses directly crediting the programme for helping them secure investment

£ 7.40
return generated for every £1 invested in the programme

Read the report:

Harness the power of design for good business

Whether you want to grow design capability, tackle a complex challenge or explore how design could create more value in your organisation, we can help.

Skills for Planet

Want to put Design for Planet in practice? Explore our Blueprint to find and develop the skills you need.