• • • NET ZERO • • •
DELIVERING NET ZERO AT PACE: RETHINKING LAND, CONSENT AND ENGAGEMENT FOR LOW-CARBON INFRASTRUCTURE
Given the critical role that land assembly and consent acquisition play in delivering major infrastructure, what changes do you think the industry needs to accelerate low-carbon and Net Zero projects through the planning and consenting system
By Helen Boyle, Head of Strategic Growth, Ardent
ne of the challenges the industry faces is the complexity and duration of planning and consenting processes, which can take the best part of a decade to navigate, delaying projects that are critical to achieving Net Zero targets. To accelerate low-carbon infrastructure and get spades in the ground quicker, the industry would benefit from:
O
– Early and integrated stakeholder engagement, proactive dialogue with landowners, communities and statutory consultees helps anticipate and resolve issues before they become barriers and help ensure projects deliver the best
possible outcomes for a wider range of stakeholders.
– Data-driven approaches to land and consent management, leveraging GIS, digital land referencing and project-wide data platforms can improve visibility, reduce risk and accelerate decision-making. Ai represents a huge opportunity here and can help quicken the pace at key points in the project life cycle.
– Flexible mechanisms for land assembly and acquisition, innovative approaches that balance fair compensation with project timelines can ensure sites are secured efficiently without compromising local support.
At Ardent, we see the synergy between land, consent management and stakeholder engagement as key to enabling faster, more sustainable delivery. By combining deep technical expertise with digital tools, like our Ai powered suite of tools and services, Atlas, and a commitment to quality and client care, we help clients navigate complex projects efficiently while maintaining trust with communities. Ultimately, the industry needs a system that balances rigour with pace, supporting ambitious Net Zero projects without unnecessary delay, and ensuring that sustainable infrastructure can be delivered at the pace society needs.
24 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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