With 2030 looming, the UK faces a pivotal moment in its climate journey, having committed to reduce emissions by 68% as part of the Paris Agreement. At the same time, we know that local leaders are under increasing pressure to deliver economic growth and create jobs - all while navigating tightening budgets and resource constraints.

I have some advice for national, regional and local politicians alike: don’t sideline climate action in the process of tackling the cost-of-living crisis.

As recently elected councillors continue to settle into their roles following the recent highs and lows of exhausting and exhilarating local and general election campaigns, they'll be looking to make their mark.

With the general election only three weeks away, the main parties have now published their manifesto plans. While climate change has not been a central focus of the campaign, it presents a significant economic opportunity that the UK cannot afford to ignore.

Party conference season is a whirlwind of receptions, fringe events and impassioned speeches as the political tribes gather to rally supporters and promote their policy agendas. For UK100, autumn conferences provide an unparalleled opportunity to bring together national decision-makers and local leaders and advocate for empowering local authority climate action.

The recent High Court ruling on London's clean air zone (ULEZ) marks a significant point in our collective journey towards cleaner air. The decision, which dismissed a challenge to the legality of The Mayor of London's decision to expand the scheme next month, reaffirms the importance of local decision-making and maintaining commitment to the fight against air pollution.

Below is UK100 Interim Chief Executive Jason Torrance's speech from the Zemo 20:Zero Clean Air Day conference at City Hall in London on 15 June 2023. Check against delivery.

Local authorities face “Kafkaesque” barriers to achieving Net Zero goals, reveals a comprehensive new UK100 report. Powers in Place calls for a new Net Zero Local Powers Bill and Net Zero Delivery Framework. The report is released as UK100 joins Chris Skidmore MP’s Local Mission Zero Network and announces plans to work together to drive forward policy solutions to overcome the barriers to local Net Zero.

This week Sheffield became the latest city to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to tackle an estimated 500 deaths a year related to air pollution in the city.