Metis and SMS Join Parliamentary Reception to Champion Local Net Zero Solutions
Summary
SMS and Metis showcased how local partnerships can drive practical progress towards net zero at a recent Parliamentary Reception hosted by Bill Esterson MP. Highlighting our work with Oxfordshire County Council, we shared how the fully funded Metis solution is helping households access low-carbon technologies via the Energy Saver App. With the model already delivering results in Oxfordshire, it offers a scalable approach to decarbonisation nationwide.
The Case for Scalable, Local Net Zero Solutions
The UK’s journey to Net Zero 2050 demands scalable, actionable solutions – and the need has never been more urgent. At a recent Parliamentary Reception hosted by Bill Esterson MP, SMS and Metis shared ideas on how collaborative, locally-led partnerships can help overcome barriers such as cost, complexity, and community engagement.
Partnership in Practice: Metis and Oxfordshire County Council
During the event, SMS presented the impact of Metis – our fully funded, turnkey energy solution designed to help social landlords, schools, and homeowners access low-carbon technologies at no upfront cost. Metis addresses key challenges that often slow or stall progress – namely affordability, simplicity, and scalability – by integrating funding, delivery, and user engagement into a single platform.
Our collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council was highlighted as a model of effective partnership. Through a government-backed retrofit initiative, Metis is supporting thousands of households via the Energy Saver App – a digital tool that connects to smart meter data to deliver personalised energy advice and recommendations for upgrades such as solar PV and battery storage.
The programme is already demonstrating strong performance indicators, including:
- Over 7,800 app downloads to date
- A 65% conversion rate from advice to action
- Installations currently underway, with the scheme expanding to include trials of flexible energy tariffs
These early-stage metrics illustrate how combining trusted local delivery with scalable digital tools can accelerate household-level decarbonisation at meaningful scale.
Scaling the Model Nationally
The Oxfordshire pilot underscores what is possible when local authorities, industry expertise, and effective delivery models align. With the right funding structures, user engagement strategies, and implementation support, this approach can be replicated across the UK – delivering measurable progress toward national net zero goals.
We are grateful to BEAMA and Bill Esterson MP for convening this important discussion and proud to contribute to a collective, evidence-led approach to decarbonisation through the Metis programme.
