The task aheadThe UK Government's plans for zero carbon growth by 2016/2019 are ambitious. Its expectation that the public sector will facilitate delivery through effective planning policies and other enabling frameworks has been made very clear.The challenges this presentsTo realise the vision for low and zero carbon growth, it's critical that mechanisms to underwrite early stage project development risks are established. In particular, public and private sector organisations need to work together to plan investment in low carbon infrastructure such as district heating, combined heat and power and renewable energy systems. This is key to overcoming the multitude of difficulties posed by phased developments and the host of technical, regulatory and contractual risks involved.Camco’s approachCamco helps clients to respond to these challenges by:1. Developing regional, sub-regional and local carbon reduction strategiesCamco delivered a carbon appraisal of the Cambridge Sub-Region's Long Term Delivery Plan. The Plan includes the delivery of 83,000 new homes by 2031 and the carbon appraisal identified opportunities to reduce over 500,000 tonnes CO2 per annum.2. Establishing investment modelsCamco is assisting several clients to develop Carbon Investment Funds to facilitate investment in low carbon assets such as community heat and power systems.3. Securing capital investment in low carbon infrastructureCamco played an important role in securing project investment from housing growth funds for the Northstowe prototype Ecotown.4. Establishing ESCos and other development partnershipsCamco established the UK's first community ESCo at Titanic Mill and has supported a major housebuilder to conclude the UK's largest residential-led Energy Services Agreement.Through this range of services, Camco helps clients to reduce development risk and deliver low carbon infrastructure in a commercially viable way.Picture courtesy of Stratford City Developments Ltd.Camco developed the planning-stage carbon strategy for Stratford City