UK100 Annual Review 2025: Beyond Targets — A Year of Impact
In 2025, UK100's network grew to 122 local and combined authorities representing over 60% of the UK population. More than that, we turned local climate leadership into national policy change — from community energy written into law to shaping the government's first-ever public participation strategy for net zero.
2025 Key Achievements
Network Growth
- 122 member authorities representing over 60% of the UK population
- 5% increase in membership across 2025
- 33 paid members alongside 91 ally local and combined authorities
- Seven new councils including Dorset, Hounslow, and Westmorland and Furness
Impact & Reach
- Nearly 100 media hits reaching over 300 million people
- 500+ councillors mobilised for cross-party Devolution Bill open letter
- Research cited in Climate Change Committee's Seventh Carbon Budget
- UK100 and UK Power Networks DSO named Utility Week Strategic Partner of the Year
Impact Stories 2025
This year we focused on what changed because of UK100's work — not just what we did. These five stories show how local climate leadership translates into national policy change and tangible outcomes for communities.
Community energy secures its place in law
In February 2025, community energy moved from policy aspiration to legislative reality. The government amendment to the Great British Energy Bill, backed by more than 80 MPs, formally embedded community energy in the remit of Britain's new publicly-owned energy company. UK100 played a direct role through written evidence to the ESNZ Committee and HM Treasury, and Councillor Emily O'Brien gave oral evidence on behalf of our network.
500 councillors demand climate in the Devolution Bill
More than 500 councillors spanning Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green, and Independent parties signed an open letter coordinated by UK100 and Climate Emergency UK calling for climate and nature duties in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. The campaign secured one of the most supported amendments to the Bill, with UK100 quoted directly in parliamentary debates.
Government recognises UK100's engagement expertise
When DESNZ published Energising Britain — the UK's first-ever public participation strategy for net zero — UK100's Local Climate Engagement programme was highlighted as the exemplar for how councils should involve residents in climate decision-making. Our Inclusive Climate Action toolkit now serves as the practical blueprint for councils implementing the strategy.
UK100 research shapes national climate advice
Our flagship Local Net Zero 2.0 report was cited in the Climate Change Committee's Seventh Carbon Budget — the formal advice that will shape the UK's legally binding emissions targets for 2038-2042. This is the third time UK100 research has been referenced in major CCC publications.
Climate Leadership Academy graduate secures new bus route
Councillor Annemieke Waite, a 2024 Climate Leadership Academy graduate and Cabinet Member for Climate, Waste and Sustainability at North Somerset Council, identified a transport gap isolating rural communities. Working with the West of England Rural Network and community transport operator The Big Lemon, she secured WESTlocal funding for the Winford Pioneer bus service — reconnecting villages including Felton, Winford, and Dundry to Bristol.
Honourable Mentions
Utility Week Strategic Partner of the Year
UK100 and UK Power Networks DSO won Strategic Partner of the Year at the Utility Week Awards 2025. The award recognised two years of collaboration delivering practical tools for local climate action, including our Local Area Energy Planning Toolkit, joint webinars reaching over 100 councils, and events bringing together more than 200 local leaders with energy sector partners.
Cllr Mike McKeown shapes Liberal Democrat climate policy
Councillor Mike McKeown, climate lead at Cotswold District Council, founding member of our Countryside Climate Network, and a Climate Leadership Academy graduate, helped shape the Liberal Democrats' "For People, For Planet" climate policy. His frontline experience ensured the manifesto reflected the realities of rural climate delivery.
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury wins Politician of the Year
Councillor Rezina Chowdhury of Lambeth Council, a 2023 Climate Leadership Academy graduate, won Politician of the Year at the Women in Green Business Awards 2025. The award recognised her climate leadership in Lambeth, where she has translated CLA insights into practical local delivery.
Valerie becomes a voice for retrofit in York
Climate Leadership Academy graduate Councillor Jenny Kent applied her climate communications training to York's social housing retrofit programme. When resident Valerie's home was upgraded, she became an advocate — her story of a warmer home, lower bills, and better health is now building public support for retrofit across the city.
Looking ahead to 2026
As we approach UK100's tenth anniversary in 2026, the case for local climate leadership has never been stronger:
- Major anniversary conference celebrating a decade of local climate action
- Fifth year of Climate Leadership Academy developing the next generation of climate leaders
- Launch of UK100 Connect — our new Climate Communications and Engagement Network
- Continued advocacy on the English Devolution Bill as it progresses through the Lords
- Deepening partnerships with GB Energy, NESO, and energy sector partners on Regional Energy Strategic Plans
- Supporting members through local government reorganisation with our Climate Compass programme
