Making net zero work: why communities and finance must move together
In Episode 54 of The Decarbonisation Dialogue, Roli Martin explains why the path to net zero isn’t just about funding projects - it’s about bringing together communities, public investment and private finance to create places that work for everyone.
Finance is often seen as one of the biggest barriers to tackling climate change. However, according to Roli Martin, managing director and head of finance at Global City Futures, the real challenge is making finance work in a way that delivers benefits for everyone - not just investors.
Speaking on Episode 54 of The Decarbonisation Dialogue, Roli shares why collaboration between communities, local authorities, government and private investors is essential if the UK is to achieve its net zero ambitions.
With more than 20 years’ experience in infrastructure finance, Roli now works with local authorities, NHS trusts and education estates to develop commercially robust business cases for decarbonisation. His focus is on blending public and private investment to unlock projects that reduce carbon emissions while creating wider social value.
For Roli, one of the biggest misconceptions is that the transition can be funded through commercially attractive projects alone.
In our podcast chat, he says that people tend to start with the projects that generate a financial return, for example solar energy, heat networks and EV charging infrastructure.
He says: “But that leaves behind the more difficult challenges - retrofitting homes, reducing emissions in neighbourhoods and supporting communities that need investment the most.”
Instead, he argues for bundling profitable and less commercially attractive projects together, using public funding to reduce risk and attract long-term private investment. The result is not only lower carbon emissions, but cleaner air, new jobs, healthier communities and stronger local economies.
Social value and community action
At the heart of his approach is the idea that climate investment should be measured by more than financial returns alone.
He says: “Social value is the golden ticket. If we can demonstrate the wider economic, environmental and social benefits of projects, we create a much stronger case for investment.”
Communities also have a critical role to play. Across the UK, local groups are already helping neighbours reduce energy use, cut waste and lower their carbon footprint. These grassroots initiatives demonstrate what is possible, but they often struggle to grow because they lack access to finance.
“There are fantastic community groups doing incredible work. The challenge is that they reach a point where they don’t have the funding or capacity to go further.”
Unlocking larger-scale change means connecting those local ambitions with supportive public policy and responsible private investment. Roli believes government has an important role in reducing risk, while investors need opportunities that provide stable, long-term returns without losing sight of social impact.
Social value is the golden ticket. If we can demonstrate the wider economic, environmental and social benefits of projects, we create a much stronger case for investment.
There are fantastic community groups doing incredible work. The challenge is that they reach a point where they don’t have the funding or capacity to go further.
Ultimately, the conversation is about more than funding infrastructure, it’s about building a financial system that supports people as well as the planet.
Roli recognises the progress already being made through partnerships across the sector. With passionate people working across communities, public bodies and businesses, he seems optimistic that meaningful change is possible.
“We’re making a difference. By working together, all of us actually, we’re making a difference.”
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