UK100's Interim Chief Executive, Jason Torrance, responds to the Government’s new air quality strategy, and the associated 10-day consultation.

On ’Green Day’ we hoped to see a plan for Net Zero delivery that understands, as the Government’s Independent Mission Zero report did, that local authorities are the key to achieving Net Zero in the UK. Our hopes, however, have been dashed on the ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams.’ Today’s announcements fall far short of unlocking the ambition and ability within local government to go further and faster in delivering Net Zero.

Responding to the Spring Budget, UK100 welcomes the short-term energy bill relief but reiterates its call for a long-term solution, targeted at the most vulnerable.

UK100 writes to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities with recommendations for the National Planning Policy Framework to address the climate and ecological emergency, seize the economic opportunities that the transition to Net Zero presents and build communities and infrastructure resilient to the worst impacts of climate change.

UK100 responds as House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee slams “failing” Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Responding to the latest air quality statistics release from Defra, which reveals illegal levels of PM2.5 pollution across the UK, UK100’s Interim Chief Executive, Jason Torrance, calls for Ministers to finally listen to local leaders and experts to tackle the toxic crisis.

UK100's report argues that Birmingham, Camden, Hertfordshire, Leeds and Nottingham are leading the way on integrating climate and clean air policies but Ministers' "refusal to recognise the importance of joined-up policy making" is stalling wider progress.

On Friday, all the local authorities in Gloucestershire set a significant milestone by signing an agreement to work together on a county-wide project to tackle transport decarbonisation and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2045.

UK100 Chief Executive, Polly Billington, was invited to be a part of the panel at the official launch of Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE MP's Mission Zero Net Zero Review at King's College London on Monday alongside the Climate Minister, Graham Stuart MP.

UK100 welcome's the Net Zero Review's call for a "net zero local big bang" and the recognition that local authorities are vital to delivering the most successful version of Net Zero in the UK.