�40m programme to cut carbon emissions at 35 public buildings across Liverpool City Region

LIVERPOOL�S world famous waterfront is set to benefit from a �40m investment to cut carbon emissions at 35 public buildings across the City Region.

Work is starting on the major programme that will see heat decarbonisation and energy saving measures introduced at many historic buildings, town halls, leisure centres and libraries; cutting emissions by more than half.

The project will connect landmark sites on Liverpool�s waterfront; including:- the Georges Dock and the Cunard buildings; to the Mersey Heat network, which is powered by water from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

It is the latest step in the Combined Authority�s 5 year carbon action plan, approved in 2023, aimed at making the City Region net zero by 2035 at the latest; at least a decade before national government.

Work is already underway at:- Bootle Leisure Centre, Bootle Library, Wirral Country Park, Prescot Soccer Centre and Landican Cemetery to install low carbon heating systems and complementary measures, such as:- insulation upgrades, solar PV, and modern building controls, with eight buildings expected to be completed by March.

Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Net Zero, said:- �Cutting carbon is one of the most important ways we can improve people�s everyday lives, and this programme shows the scale of our ambition. By transforming our civic buildings, we�re reducing emissions, lowering energy bills and future‑proofing public services for decades to come. We know how big the task ahead is, but we also know the scale of the opportunity. With work already underway across the City Region; from leisure centres and libraries to parks and historic landmarks; we�re proving that our commitment to reach net zero by 2035 is real, practical and already delivering results. Public buildings account for a sizeable amount of the total emissions, so it is right that we lead by example.�

Buildings account for most carbon emissions, with public buildings responsible for 13% of the total. Together, the City Region�s 6 local authorities and the Combined Authority (CA) own more than 600 buildings that emit almost 77,000 tonnes of CO2.

The CA has secured �36m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). With additional funding from local authorities, a total of more than �40m will go towards improving energy efficiency, cutting carbon emissions and accelerating the transition to low-carbon heat across the Region.

The programme, delivered by the Combined Authority Energy Team, unlocks the extension of the Mersey Heat network, which is already supplying the Liverpool Waters site, the Titanic Hotel and the Tobacco Warehouse apartments.

The network is driven by the Mersey Heat Energy Centre, developed by The Peel Group and Ener Vate, which uses 1 of the UK�s largest water source heat pumps to extract energy from canal water.

Connections are planned to the Cunard Building and George�s Dock Building, with additional funding awarded to National Museums Liverpool to connect the Museum of Liverpool.

The expanded network is projected to reduce emissions by around 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

A range of measures to replace fossil fuel heating in each building with low carbon alternatives, such as:- heat pumps, solar thermal and district heating connection, will completely remove gas fired heating. Combined with fabric and energy efficiency upgrades, the programme is expected to halve energy demand and carbon emissions, saving around 21,500 MWh per year and cutting emissions by more than 50%.

Alongside PSDS investment, the Combined Authority has also secured �1.45m through the Mayoral Renewables Fund to deliver solar PV installations across 14 public buildings, providing a total of 1.2 MW of new renewable generation capacity across the Region.

James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at the North West Net Zero Hub, said:- "Retrofitting these buildings is a significant step, not only due to the reduction in emissions, but also in terms of the efficiencies that this will bring to the public estate. Heat decarbonisation and energy-saving measures will help to reduce running costs and allow those savings to be focused back into communities. Lower energy bills mean more public money that can be spent on services."

Liverpool Film Office backs 2 new productions

FILMING is now underway on:- 'A Town in Nova Scotia' and 'Saviour,' the latest productions to receive investment from the Liverpool City Region Production Fund delivered by the Liverpool Film Office, following its relaunch in Autumn 2025.

They join an impressive investment portfolio that includes recent acclaimed dramas:- 'This City is Ours' (BBC/Left Bank Pictures), 'The Responder' (BBC/Dancing Ledge) and 'Time' (BBC/BBC Studios)

The Fund is delivered by Liverpool Film Office and supported by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

A Town in Nova Scotia is the 1st feature film that the Fund has supported. Directed by Babak Jalali (Fremont) and Co-Written with Carolina Cavalli (Amanda), the film stars Bill Nighy as Leon, a widowed man living in a block of Council flats in Liverpool. Makram Khoury (The West Wing, A Syrian Bride) plays his close friend Saleh. The 2 leads are joined by a cast of local professional and non-professional actors recruited from across the City Region.

Bill Nighy already has strong links to the Region, having been a member of the Liverpool Everyman Theatre repertory company during its so-called golden era in the 1970�s, alongside such stars as:- Julie Walters, Jonathan Pryce and Bernard Hill.

A Town in Nova Scotia is being produced by up and coming Liverpool based producer Jennifer:- 'Monks for The Fold' and Na�ma Abed and �milie Georges for Paradise City. Alongside the LCR Production Fund, it is supported with funding from BBC Films and the British Film Institute as well as from private investors Desmar and Hoopsa.

Saviour, is a new 6 part courtroom thriller for ITV, marking another major collaboration between the broadcaster and the Fund following the success of:- 'The Ipcress File' (ITV/Altitude Television) and the hit comedy:- 'G�wed' (ITV/Golden Path

Written by Liverpool born criminal barrister, novelist and 1st time TV drama writer Imran Mahmood, Saviour is produced by Nisha Parti�s independent production company, Parti Productions, in partnership with the award winning Drama Republic (Riot Women, One Day). All3 Media are the production�s global partner.

Following the story of Ben�s (Archie Fisher) journey through the criminal justice system after a case of assumed identity turns deadly, the show will also star Anjili Mohindra (The Lazarus Project, The Red King) as Indy, a criminal barrister with secrets of her own. Shaun Parkes (The Suspect, Human Traffic) co-stars as Detective Inspector Jon Creasy and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders) plays Eddie, Ben�s father and a fellow police officer.

Both productions will employ a large number of locally-based crew and facilities as well as trainees and new entrants through Liverpool Film Office�s Action! skills programme. They reflect the key aims of the LCR Production Fund, supporting high quality productions that deliver fresh, authentic portrayals and help to build long term economic, cultural and social opportunities for the local screen industry.

A Town in Nova Scotia will be released in cinemas later in the year.

Saviour will air on ITV1 with streaming available on ITVX later this year/early next year.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- �The Liverpool City Region has always been a place where powerful stories are told, and increasingly, it�s where they�re made too. That�s why the LCR Production Fund was set up:- to attract the very best projects to our area and support local talent. We�re growing a truly world-class film and TV sector, creating skilled jobs for local people, and showcasing our Region on an international stage. It�s fantastic to see the Fund backing its 1st feature film as well as continuing to develop relationships with some of the UK�s top TV drama producers. I�m proud that our Region continues to be a place where creativity, talent and ambition can thrive."

Liverpool City Council�s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture and Chair of the LCR Production Fund, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "It�s absolutely brilliant to see production begin on both A Town in Nova Scotia; the 1st feature film backed by Liverpool City Region Production Fund; and Saviour, which adds to our impressive investment portfolio of TV dramas. Through the fantastic work of Liverpool Film Office, we have become the UK�s go to filming location outside of London and with that comes significant opportunity for our people and our communities. Not only do these productions feature local actors and crew, but many trainees and new entrants have been given their 1st steps in the industry thanks to the Film Office�s Action! skills programme. We�re very excited to see both productions on screen later this year and can�t wait to watch our City and our local talent shine on the global stage once again.�

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�40m programme to cut carbon emissions at 35 public buildings across Liverpool City Region

Liverpool Film Office backs 2 new productions