Councils have a significant role to play in supporting and advancing the UK’s net zero ambitions in partnership with government, industry and communities, the LGA has said.
Following the G7 summit in Cornwall last month and ahead of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow this November, the LGA is highlighting some of the innovative and proactive work councils are doing across the country to tackle climate change.
As place-shapers, convenors of communities and businesses, asset owners, and problem-solvers with significant purchasing and market-shaping powers, councils are at the forefront of delivering real, tangible changes in the transition to net zero.
Ninety per cent of councils have declared a climate emergency and many have been devising and implementing new ways of reducing their carbon footprint, by increasing biodiversity and transforming local infrastructure.
Examples include plans to transform Birmingham’s road network to encourage people to walk, cycle and take public transport instead of using their cars; the introduction of the first electric refuse collection vehicle, in Oxford; Middlesbrough attaining ‘Tree City of the World’ status; and plans for one of the UK’s largest net zero carbon housing developments in York.
Cllr David Renard, LGA Environment Spokesperson, said: “Councils understand the urgent need to tackle climate change and have been making active changes in their communities to benefit the environment.
“Councils are intrinsic to transitioning our places and empowering our communities and businesses to a net zero future. They are well-placed to translate national climate ambitions into transformative action on the ground.
“By working in partnership with government, councils can continue to shape their local areas to help achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.”