A pioneering online consultation tool developed by Energy Systems Catapult – zerocarbon.vote – is being used for the first time by residents of Bury, Greater Manchester, to vote on which type of low carbon heating they would prefer for their homes in the near future.

The results will inform plans for Bury to become carbon neutral by 2038, including a Local Area Energy Plan currently being delivered by the Catapult.

zerocarbon.vote was created to put people at the heart of the energy system and is designed to help local authorities and businesses understand how people would prefer to cut their carbon emissions.

The consultation, which closes on Friday 17th September, forms part of the Greater Manchester Local Energy Market project which sets out ambitious plans to revolutionise the use and distribution of energy across region.

Like more than 3/4 of local authorities around the UK, Bury Council has declared a climate emergency and as part of its path to become carbon neutral by 2038 they have created a draft Bury Climate Action Strategy and a 2021 Bury Climate Action Plan.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the Environment and Climate Change at Bury Council said: “The next two decades are going to see big changes in the way we live as we embrace the move to carbon neutrality.

“For example, the way we heat our homes will change, fossil fuel-based gas will go to be replaced by heat pumps and further down the line hydrogen.

“To be successful in any transition we all need to work together, and it is, therefore, vital to understand how our residents want to see this change implemented. So, we need to hear from them.

“It is easy and quick to vote, taking less than five minutes, so I urge everyone to get involved. Change is coming, and by having your say now, residents can help inform where we will put our effort and funding in making Bury carbon neutral by 2038.”

Richard Halsey, Capabilities Director at Energy Systems Catapult, said: “Forward-thinking councils like Bury recognise there’s a need to plan for their future local energy system to get to net zero.

“To do this well it’s important to engage with the local community, to inform Local Area Energy Plans and to help people prepare.

“People need to be aware and informed to prepare their homes in the right way at the right time to deliver on our Net Zero commitments. zerocarbon.vote is a quick and easy way to help people engage in the steps needed to decarbonise their homes and local area,”

Bury residents can visit zerocarbon.vote to have their say. The consultation will be open until the 17^th September.