Net Zero target date: Local authorities should have a Net Zero target date of 2030 for their council emissions (including their operations, estate, etc.) and a target date of 2045* for their area-wide emissions.
*Countryside counties can have a Net Zero target date of 2050 for their area-wide emissions, with the aim of moving towards an earlier Net Zero target date as soon as possible. The different date for countryside counties is because of the specific challenges they face due to their rural geography, scale, powers and responsibilities. We will engage with these countryside counties via our Countryside Climate Network to identify specific challenges they face in setting an earlier Net Zero date, to advocate to national government for policy change that will enable them to move to an earlier Net Zero target date as soon as possible.
*Combined authorities and city regions should have set a Net Zero target date before 2045 for both their council emissions and their areawide emissions, to reflect their strategic scale and wide-ranging responsibilities.
Offsets: The use of offsets should be limited and used only as a last resort when reducing emissions to Net Zero at source is not possible. Offsets should aim to be as local as possible.
Reporting: Reporting should be annual, from 2022 onwards.
Scopes: At least scopes 1 and 2 for both council emissions and area wide emissions.
Baseline of emissions: from 1990 levels, in line with IPCC. For councils that have been established after that, this needs to be clarified on an individual basis.
Interim targets: Those pledging should set interim targets, focusing on early actions and prioritising sectors that will contribute to rapid reductions in GHG emissions.
Agreement: Leaders should agree with the pledge.
