Zoom screenshot of launch
Outreach Logo UK100
Local Powers
On 10 December, we launched our new Net Zero pledge and a year of activity in support of the ambition and commitment of local authorities to reach Net Zero asap in a way that benefits their communities.

We announced the first group of 41 local leaders who have signed our new Net Zero Local Leadership Pledge, and invited local leaders from across the UK to join them. 

These 41 leaders have committed to go further and faster than national government with earlier Net Zero targets, whether by 2030 for their own council emissions, 2045 at the latest for their area emissions, or a combination of the two.

The local authorities represent all regions of England, alongside two in Scotland, and we are pleased that from district councils to counties, metropolitan boroughs to combined authorities, all tiers of local government are included in this increased commitment to tackling the climate crisis with urgency.

We had almost 400 guests at the launch, with people dialling in from across the world, including from Spain, India, France and the US. If you were not able to attend, or you would like to watch on demand, watch the full event on YouTube.

Panel 1

On our first panel (click their names to watch) keynote speaker Nigel Topping, High Level Climate Action Champion for COP26, talked about why engaging UK100 members in the international UNFCCC Race to Zero campaign is a fantastic opportunity for local leaders in the year to COP26 and beyond. He spoke of how local authorities committing to Net Zero impact how governments think.

He was joined by Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, who reiterated the urgency of a just and fair transition, Deputy Mayor for Energy and Environment at Greater London Authority Shirley Rodrigues, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Energy and HS2 at West Midlands Combined Authority and Leader of Solihull Council Cllr Ian Courts, Head of Environment at West Midlands Combined Authority Jaqueline Homan, and Siemens UK & Ireland CEO Carl Ennis.

Panel 2

Our second panel addressed the 'how', focussing on working together to translate ambitions into action. Director UK and Ireland at Climate-KIC Andy Kerr led the conversation. He was joined by Head of Green Economy and Sustainable Growth at UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose Martha McPherson, Scotland General Manager at CENEX Fergus Worthy, Public Affairs & Policy Specialist at UKGBC Jenny Holland, and Director at Energy Systems Catapult Richard Halsey.

Launch of our new Knowledge Hub

At the event we also launched our new online knowledge platform for sharing how city and regional authorities are translating Net Zero ambitions into concrete action. The Knowledge Hub's case studies allow local leaders to share knowledge they and their partners have gained from planning and delivering low-carbon projects.

If you need help turning your Net Zero ambitions into action, take a look at the hub and feel free to get in touch with our industry partners:

Climate-KIC

UCL Institute of Innovation and Public Purpose

Cenex

UK Green Building Council

Energy Systems Catapult

If your authority has an exemplar project in the areas of energy, mobility and transport, built environment, finance, outreach and collaboration or circular economy that you would like to showcase on the hub, please get in touch at talia.berriman@uk100.org

Chat and Q&A 

Due to much demand, we are making available the chat and Q&A that captured the many interesting conversations during the webinar. To get these please get in touch with at talia.berriman@uk100.org

Sign the Net Zero Local Leadership Pledge

If you are a local authority and want to sign our Net Zero pledge, please contact us on membership@uk100.org. You can find the full pledge on our website here

Continue the conversation

We will be using the hashtag #COP26Local on both our Twitter and LinkedIn pages until COP26 in November 2021, so please do engage with this on social media.