Local Government News
Why we need local action to tackle our environmental issues UK100 explain why local authorities are best placed to tackle environmental issues.
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ocal authorities across the country have shown bold leadership by setting Net Zero targets that are decades ahead of the national legislation, but sustained delivery can only happen if the Government lets go of powers and finances. Council’s have a crucial role in tackling climate change and improving air quality, as convenors and designers of place, with influence over local planning, transport, waste and housing. Local leaders are rooted in their communities and understand local needs and opportunities. This makes them uniquely positioned to deliver a place-based transition to Net Zero which engages and coordinates with local businesses, public institutions and residents and brings jobs and industries to their communities. Local authorities can have a strong influence over emissions, research shows one-third of all UK emissions are dependent on sectors influenced by local government policies or partnerships.
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“Many of the urgent changes and decisions needed have a strong local dimension. Decarbonising buildings, transport, waste and industry, cutting emissions from agriculture and storing more carbon through land use and forestry are dependent on delivery at a local level” - Lord Deben, Committee on Climate Change There is a growing consensus, even following COP26, that global declarations need to be backed up by local delivery. Committee on Climate Change regards local authority action as critical for meeting our climate targets, as local leaders have a key role in introducing the measures people need to make low-carbon choices, such as constructing cycle paths and bus lanes and increasing the number of bus routes and services to enable a proper choice when travelling around.. Ipsos Mori polling commissioned by UK100 found that 40% of people believe that their local council is best
airqualitynews.com
placed to tackle climate change in their local area, compared to 30% believing it is the Government’s responsibility and 19% believing it is down to the individual. 62% of people surveyed believed there is a need for increased investment to enable safe walking and cycling, and 76% believe that the transition to a green economy offers opportunities for people who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. Addressing climate change and air pollution has many social and economic benefits for local communities. Retrofitting social housing reduces fuel poverty, cleaner air improves people’s health and improving public transport networks increases the mobility of people without access to a car, improving access to work, friends and family. The solutions to tackling climate change are largely the same ones required to improve air quality, including transitioning from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles, public
