Earth Set:Build Webinar series 2. Climate Tech Policy
Sarah Mackintosh of Cleantech for UK’s presentation. Link to full deck below
Autumn 2025
Policy 101 for Founders: How (and Why) to Engage Early
Highlights from Earth Set: Build — Session 2 with Cleantech for UK
In our second Earth Set: Build webinar, Sarah Mackintosh from Cleantech for UK walked through how policy is actually made, why it matters for financing and scale-up, and what practical steps founders can take this quarter to shape their market. The single most important takeaway:
“It’s never too early to start engaging with government. The earlier, the better.”
Who are Cleantech for UK — and what do they do for founders?
A coalition of leading cleantech investors providing evidence-based advocacy to government: translating what’s happening on the ground into policy proposals that unlock markets, investment and scale-up. They’re part of a wider European movement building coordinated investor coalitions across the EU and UK.
Why policy matters for financing and scale-up
Capital mix is shifting. Debt now represents a growing share of cleantech capital, signalling market maturation; investors are seeking lower-risk, revenue-backed opportunities. Long-term policy frameworks (mandates/targets, CfDs, grants, tax credits, planning) underpin bankability.
Investor lens is tightening. Given fiscal conditions, founders must be clear on business model, revenue certainty and risk allocation.
Policy stability ≠ policy stasis. Expect political noise; learn to work with the environment you’ve got and bank wins where they exist (e.g., enduring tools like CfDs and mandates).
Policy vs Regulation vs Law
Policy sets direction and priorities; not legally binding, often set by ministers and elaborated by civil servants (e.g., Net Zero Strategy, Industrial Strategy).
Regulation translates policy into binding rules within a sector (e.g., Ofgem price cap rules).
Law is primary legislation passed by Parliament (e.g., Climate Change Act 2008).
How policy is made (and where founders plug in)
Signal & scope. Ministers set priorities; civil servants gather evidence and consult widely (this is your opening).
Call for evidence → Green Paper (consultation) → White Paper (firmer proposal). Each stage needs an impact assessment—numbers matter.
Write-round & approvals. Cross-department negotiation (be patient and persistent).
Implementation. Via regulation, statutory instruments, or primary legislation; then evaluation.
“Civil servants do read consultation responses. If a proposed change will materially affect you, respond—and show your evidence.”
A concrete example: plan → instrument → startup impact
🏛️ Policy: Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution (2020) set priorities and committed £12bn public capital to catalyse private investment.
⚙️ Instrument: Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP)—£1bn of targeted calls across hydrogen, industry, mobility, storage, etc.
🚀 Startup impact: Hundreds of innovators funded; non-dilutive support helped bridge the “valley of death” from lab to market. (NZIP ends in 2025; future support uncertain.)
What founders should ask for (the 2025/26 policy asks)
Decouple electricity and gas prices to cut power costs and improve competitiveness.
Expand blended-finance tools (guarantees, convertibles, risk-sharing) to unlock scale-up capital.
Strengthen domestic manufacturing supply chains for resilience.
Deliver the Industrial Strategy efficiently.
Work on risk appetite in public bodies, pension-fund mobilisation, capital allowances, and (yes) private jet fuel taxation.
Practical playbook: how to engage
1) Map the decision-makers and engage early
Departments & regulators: Write to the relevant policy teams; request a call; show evidence and deployment pathways.
Consultations: Pick the 2–3 that materially affect you; submit concise, quantified responses.
Civil servants at events: Go find them; build relationships before you need an urgent change.
Your MP: Invite them to your site; show the jobs, innovation and local benefits—this creates allies across parties.
2) Use advocacy bodies to amplify your voice
Join coalitions (e.g., Cleantech for UK, StartUp Coalition) that file expert responses, convene industry, and open doors. Membership fees often save you months of legwork.
3) Frame it right
Lead with economic value, energy security, jobs, and cost savings; reference net-zero co-benefits, not just emissions.
Bring numbers: capex/opex, LCOE/IRR ranges, procurement/standards implications.
4) Be realistic on timelines and cost
Standards changes can be slow (incumbent friction).
Regulatory changes via statutory instruments vary (affirmative vs negative procedure).
Primary legislation can take years (e.g., the Energy Bill took ~2 years end-to-end).
Direct fees are minimal; the “cost” is your time. Consider coalitions to share the load.
5) Learn from the cautionary tales
Don’t “stamp your feet” publicly; it can backfire. Be firm, respectful and prepared with evidence.
Thanks to Sarah from Cleantech for UK for an insightful teach-in. This was webinar 2 of 6 in the Earth Set: Build series; more sessions are coming.
