Fair, green, and people-powered
An evidence-driven just transition
A just transition in retrofits
Climate change Health & wellbeing Housing & regeneration Inequality16 January 2025
London’s journey to net zero must be an inclusive and fair ‘just transition’ – and that requires adapting and insulating in 2.2m homes. This report explores equitable uptake of retrofits.
‘A bright future for community energy?’
Climate change Community Community needs & priorities Environment13 August 2024
With time, investment, and a commitment to community engagement, Great British Energy could be a local as well as a national success story, says Jacob Coburn.
Our journey to net zero
Climate change Inequality Institute for Community Studies Places Systems change19 February 2024
Our new report warns existing net zero transition policies risk making the poor poorer, and push struggling communities further into deprivation and exclusion.
Quest for the ‘S’ in ESG
Environment Innovation and Investment Social action Social innovation9 February 2023
How can businesses act in both environmentally and socially responsible ways? What are the trade-offs between sustainability and social outcomes? This report examines how FTSE 100 companies approach ESG.
‘Communities must be at the heart of a people-powered transition to net zero’
Environment Families & Youth Institute for Community Studies11 May 2023
The independent review calls for widespread participation in low-carbon living – yet government policy hasn’t changed, says Samanthi Theminimulle.
Views from around the UK
Will our transition to ‘net zero’ support the government’s plans to level up? Are we on track for a successful shift to a fairer, greener society? Our Institute for Community Studies asked people their views.
Views and insights
Net zero policy risks making the poor poorer
Existing net zero transition policies are likely to make the poor poorer and push struggling communities further into deprivation and exclusion, our new report warns.
A five-point plan for a green and fair future
Net zero transition must leave no one behind, says Emily Morrison – and our research shows how national policy can make it so
‘Communities must be at the heart of a people-powered transition to net zero’
The independent review calls for widespread participation in low-carbon living – yet government policy hasn’t changed, says Samanthi Theminimulle.
‘Vital and timely’ net zero policy research
Funding from the British Academy will drive a six-month project exploring place-sensitive participatory policy development for a ‘just transition’ to net zero.
‘Our transition to net zero must be government-led and people-powered’
To achieve the UK’s net zero goals, we need a united department at the heart of Westminster, says Emily Morrison
‘Communities can power a fair transition’
Helen Goulden and Tim Davies-Pugh, say a fairer, greener future is not only possible, but advantageous for UK plc.
‘Change starts with people like me’
Mark Pepper is driving climate action at Ambition Lawrence Weston, a housing estate on the outskirts of Bristol.
UK public perceptions and readiness for a just transition to net zero
The Institute for Community Studies’ survey explores public views and concerns.
Policy briefing examines impact of shift to carbon-neutral economy
How policy can support all UK people through our transition to net zero carbon emissions.
Research seeks to support community businesses in the green economy
We’re working with Power to Change, a trust supporting community business and funding community climate action.
Family and community vulnerabilities in the transition to net zero
Assessing opportunities and potential to develop policy that supports our national journey to net zero, enabling all UK communities to participate and thrive.
'Talking transitions: the road to net zero'
In this short film, The Young Foundation’s Institute for Community Studies hears from members of the public, seeking to gain a greater understanding of their concerns about the transition to a carbon-neutral society, and find out just how much – or how little – people understand about the challenges we face.
Watch our Liberal Democrat Party Conference panel discussion
On Monday 25 September 2023, our CEO, Helen Goulden OBE, joined a panel discussion to discuss what a community-led transition to net zero would look like.
The session was chaired by Sam Robinson of the Social Market Foundation, and panellists included Will Walker (Power to Change), Hina Bokhara (London Assembly Member) and Wera Hobhouse MP.
Watch our Labour Party Conference debate
On Monday 26 September 2022, in partnership with Power to Change and the Social Market Foundation, we convened key thinkers and policy-influencers to discuss a community-led approach to achieving net zero. The Young Foundation’s CEO, Helen Goulden, shared a platform with the Shadow Climate Secretary, Kerry McCarthy; the Mayor of North of Tyne, Jamie Driscoll; and London Assembly member Leonie Cooper.