On World Environment Day, local leaders from across the political spectrum have signalled a resounding call for new legislation to enshrine local climate action in law, as a survey from UK100 reveals local authorities' priorities for the next government.

At the top of the list is a new climate duty for councils, backed with the necessary funding and powers to enable effective implementation, supported by 88% of local leaders and council officers surveyed.

The poll of members of the UK100 network found that 75% of respondents felt July 4th was the "last opportunity" to keep local Net Zero "on track".

At the centre of local leaders' frustration is the fact that just 12% feel they have benefited from the current approach to devolution. Meanwhile, not one respondent said devolution deals adequately consider climate change.

When asked to select their top priorities for the next government, respondents were united on calls for:

• A Net Zero duty for councils, backed with the necessary funding and powers to enable effective implementation (supported by 88% of respondents) 
• A Local Net Zero Delivery Authority to coordinate local-national collaboration and give local leaders a seat at the table (backed by 81%), and;
• Funding reform away from siloed, short-term funding pots towards place-based Net Zero budgets (94% found the current funding system was too complicated and 78% said reform would facilitate long-term planning)

Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100 and a former council leader, says:

"This survey is a rallying cry from local authorities desperately seeking a reset in their relationship with national government on climate action.

"After years of being left directionless by disjointed policies and inconsistent guidance, local leaders are demanding the next government step-up its game and recognise their critical role in steering the UK towards its climate goals. With a new legal duty — backed by proper funding and bold reforms — they will take the wheel and deliver cleaner, healthier, more prosperous communities nationwide.

"Local authorities hold the key to unlocking the regional economic potential of climate action. But they need a seat at the table to drive progress faster and more cost-effectively than Whitehall's default top-down sat nav.

"Local leaders are ready for a new era of collaborative local-national climate leadership. The stakes couldn't be higher – without transformative action in the next parliament, our climate targets will vanish over the horizon. Unless we switch gears urgently, we’re in danger of being stuck in second going nowhere fast. “

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, concludes:

"Local authorities like Wiltshire are leading the charge in translating national climate targets into transformative action on the ground, from rolling out EV infrastructure to decarbonising buildings and engaging communities.

"However, our efforts are too often stifled by a short-sighted, piecemeal approach from Whitehall that fails to empower local delivery. The general election offers a chance to reset this dynamic by enshrining local climate powers and funding for councils in law. All parties must seize this opportunity to put local authorities in the driver's seat of the Net Zero transition.”

Cllr Zoe Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council, continues:

"In Lewes, we're driving ambitious plans to slash emissions and build a greener, fairer town and region. But to accelerate our progress, we urgently need a supportive local-national framework that provides long-term funding and flexibility.

"Councils are at the forefront of the transition, but our potential is hampered by a fragmented funding landscape and centralised decision-making. The next government must recognise local authorities as equal partners by putting climate action at the heart of its devolution agenda and introducing a statutory Net Zero duty backed by proper resources."

ENDS

Notes to the editors

Additional survey findings

More than 87% agreed that a place-based approach to climate action is more effective than a top down approach.

The findings echo Analysis by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that found that delivering a locally-led Net Zero transition could reduce system costs by over two-thirds and almost double consumer bill savings compared to a one-size-fits-all national approach.

Turning to the major issue of retrofit and energy efficiency, almost 70% of respondents cited rapidly introducing higher building standards for new homes while more than 40% highlighted cutting VAT on renovation as top priorities for enabling warmer, greener homes.

Looking at planning reforms to reflect the Climate Change Act, 81% said standardised processes for Net Zero-aligned new developments and ensuring developers prioritise and adhere to Net Zero in new developments would help accelerate progress.

The survey underscored the vital role of Local Area Energy Planning in providing an evidence-based roadmap to guide local Net Zero infrastructure and unlock investment.

However, only 15% of respondents currently have a finished plan in place, with lack of long-term funding and uncertainty over government expectations holding up progress. Meanwhile, 34% are in the process of developing one and 23% are planning to commission one.

Priorities for the next government

The survey supports the key recommendations in the recent UK100 and the Mission Zero Coalition launched the “Zero In: Accelerating Local Climate Action” report.

The report was launched alongside a cross-party “Taking the heat out of local climate action” pledge committing local leaders to rise above party politics on climate action, resist the so-called “culture wars”, and tackle climate misinformation head-on.

On the back of the survey results and Zero In report, UK100 has written to PPCs of all political stripes calling for on whichever party forms the next government to:

• Introduce a devolution bill with climate action at its core in the first King's Speech.This would include a legal duty for all local authorities and public bodies, making them jointly accountable for meeting climate targets and equipping them with the necessary powers and funding to enable delivery.
• Reform local authority funding away from short-term competitive pots towards multi-year place-based grants to enable long-term planning, delivery and drawing in private investment.
• Reform the planning system to support the delivery of Net Zero homes and local energy security by unlocking renewable energy infrastructure. Invest in a local-led nationwide energy efficiency drive to upgrade the UK's draughty homes, slashing emissions, cutting energy bills, and boosting jobs across the country.
• Establish a cross-departmental Local Net Zero Delivery Authority, based in DESNZ, to coordinate delivery, define roles, provide feedback on spending mechanisms and ensure local authorities' statutory role in the transition.
• Ensure successful community engagement in place-based climate programmes by supporting local authority-led deliberative processes and launching a national advice and information programme to support the transition.

Survey details

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from UK100. Total sample size was 32 respondents, 16 elected members and 16 officers, representing 26 local authorities. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26 April - 27 May 2024.  The survey was carried out online. The figures are unweighted.

The results are available here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gpUM_OCStVcQeCTjZ72pnjq4RdN4NTt9suM49nGLE_4/edit?usp=sharing with graphs here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H3gx2z6VBL8SRlzSUgmRtxKWLuTE3JJd9sKFTcaSqVs/edit?usp=sharing 

About UK100

UK100’s primary purpose is to support a local-led rapid transition to Net Zero and Clean Air. We do this through collaboration. 

To accelerate action, we believe in bringing together the most influential leaders across the country to learn together and agree on priorities for legislative and regulatory change while empowering them to engage with national decision-makers. 

We provide our network with the knowledge, tools and connections to make this happen.

UK100.org