Welcome reforms to local government finance signal a new era for climate leadership, but further steps are needed to unlock green growth.

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.

In June 2023, UK100, acting as the secretariat for the APPG on Sustainable Finance, convened a policy roundtable in the House of Lords. This gathering brought together private finance experts, local leaders, and parliamentarians to discuss de-risking local climate finance. The discussion highlighted key opportunities and challenges for local authorities seeking investment for Net Zero projects. Below are some of the top takeaways for council leaders.

Looking back at the Green Day announcements, have Ministers made the best of this test? Have they taken the right path at this critical fork in the road?

This is an edited version of Polly's foreword from UK100's 2022 Annual Review.

At UK100, we are working closely as possible with Chris Skidmore MP on the Net Zero Review. Here is our submission to the call for evidence.

A round-up of the media coverage of the launch of UK100's Local Net Zero Delivery progress report, including the comment articles written by local leaders from across the country.