State of the Network Report

Key project 2: Bristol City Leap

City Leap is a series of energy and infrastructure investment opportunities that represent a big step towards a cleaner, greener Bristol. This will not only create a healthier and fairer city for all our residents, but also allows us to share our success. It will help to create jobs, maintain our economic competitiveness, de-carbonise the city, build strong partnerships and empower people to take their future into their own hands.

The final three bidders for this are expected by December 2020, with the partnership officially formed late 2021. Read more

Key project 3: Bristol Streetspace - Emergency Active Travel Fund schemes

Bristol Streetspace projects are being delivered with support from the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve air quality. Started in summer 2020, this includes improved pedestrian and dedicated-cycle routes and the closure of Bristol Bridge to motorists – making it easier to walk and cycle while reducing congestion in the city.

"As the first UK city to declare climate and ecological emergencies, Bristol continues to show bold leadership and ambitious goals for low-carbon energy, food, infrastructure, transport and waste systems.

The council is unifying partners from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to make Bristol carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2030. Central to this is Bristol's pioneering One City approach, and at the beginning of 2020 we launched the One City Climate Strategy. This is supported by our recently approved multi-million pound Climate and Ecological Emergency Programme.

We are taking bold steps to clean up our air by reducing pollution – which like many cities, is above legal levels. Since Covid-19, we have been responsive to changes in how people live and travel around. Less congestion has made the air we breathe much cleaner, and we have pushed forward with plans to make public transport, walking and cycling easier and more accessible across our city."

- Marvin Rees,
Mayor of Bristol

*Bristol was the first council in the UK to declare a climate emergency. It marked the two year anniversary of this with a multi-million pound programme to reduce its carbon and ecological footprint

Key project 2: Citizens' Assembly

Camden Council – with the help of a number of independent organisations – arranged a Citizens' Assembly in July 2019 to decide how the borough as a whole should address the climate crisis. The Citizens' Assembly on the climate crisis sits at the centre of Camden's response to the climate emergency and the aim of the process was to build demographically representative citizen consensus about how the local authority area should address the issue.

We believe this project has demonstrated excellence in the face of the climate emergency by empowering a diverse and demographically reflective group of residents, with input from the rest of the community, to contribute in the formulation of a plan to tackle the climate crisis. The project has increased awareness of the climate emergency in Camden, with a focus on how individuals and communities can help spark local action as well as influencing the council's operations.

Key project 3: WHO air quality standards by 2030

Camden's Clean Air Action Plan has been produced as part of our duty to London Local Air Quality Management. It outlines the action we will take to improve air quality in Camden between 2019 and 2022. Importantly, this Clean Air Action Plan is the first of three plans, which, with the support of residents, businesses and partners, aims to bring Camden into compliance with World Health Organization guidelines for air quality by 2030.

"Clean air is one of our top priorities. In Camden, we want to make sure that no one should experience poor health as a result of the air they breathe – that's why we were the first London borough to commit to World Health Organization guidelines for air quality by 2030.

Our Safer Travel programme aims to help residents get about while public transport capacity is restricted – and to avert a 'car-based recovery' that includes increased pollution and carbon emissions, as well as road danger. We know walking and cycling are best for one's health and for the environment. This was true pre-COVID and is even more pressing now with the reported links between the pandemic, clean air and respiratory health.

We also know that by 2030 we need to radically decarbonise buildings in Camden if we're to meet our climate ambitions. The decarbonisation of heat will be a particular area of focus and I'm proud that Camden succeeded in cutting CO2 emissions by 51% since 2010 across our own estate and operations."

- Cllr Adam Harrison,
Cabinet member for a Sustainable Camden

"We are committed to the council achieving its carbon neutral ambitions by 2030 by working hard to prepare, ratify and deliver our Climate Change Action Plan in a way that is economically viable and embraces the green recovery."

- Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding,
Leader of Canterbury City Council

Key project 2: Single use plastics pledge

Our award-winning single use plastics pledge invites businesses and partner organisations to commit to reducing, and ultimately removing, single use plastic waste.

Key project 3: Street lighting energy reduction project

Durham County Council is carrying out a programme to upgrade more than 41,000 (revised to 55,000 in October 2015) street lights across the county. We are replacing existing light fittings with the latest light emitting diode (LED) lights which will reduce energy consumption by up to two thirds. The programme is part of the Street Lighting Energy Reduction Project which will reduce carbon emissions and save almost £24 million over 25 years.

"In 2020 Durham County Council pledged to reduce carbon emissions from its operations by 80 per cent from 2008/09 levels by 2030. We are also looking at what further action can be taken to make the county carbon neutral by 2050.

Local authorities are at the forefront of driving adaption and mitigation to climate change, and must be fully supported in the decades ahead if national targets of net zero by 2050 are to be met.

Since beginning a Carbon Management Programme across the Council in 2010, we have reduced our carbon emissions by 51 per cent. The Council's emissions make up only 3 per cent of those emitted in total by County Durham's homes, businesses, and travel activity.

Everyone who lives, works, visits, or travels in Durham needs to play their part in helping to reduce these emissions. So far, County Durham's emissions have reduced by approximately 53 per cent.

The Council remains committed to playing its part in addressing the huge impact of climate change."

- Cllr John Clare,
Durham County Council's climate change champion

Key project 2: Local development plan

We want Edinburgh to be a sustainable and healthy city. Edinburgh needs to be resilient, adaptable and address the impacts of climate change, contributing to the delivery of a carbon neutral city by 2030. We want Edinburgh to be a city which supports everyone's physical and mental wellbeing.

To do this we want to create a network of greenspaces that protects our beautiful green setting and helps people make sustainable travel choices. We want to create new places that are of the highest quality and ensure that development in our city enhances and contribute to our existing communities. Read more in Edinburgh's City Plan 2030.

"This year Enfield Council has adopted an ambitious Climate Action Plan, with targets to be a net zero organisation by 2030 and a net zero borough by 2040. As well as reducing energy consumption, we will decarbonise energy in the borough, including by:

• Moving our own electricity supplies to 100 per cent REGO certified.

• Increasing renewable energy generation on our own sites, as part of new developments and within our existing communities.

• Connecting more homes and businesses to Energetik's heat networks which will reduce a home's carbon footprint from heat by up to 92.3 per cent in comparison to a traditional gas boiler system. Energetik will achieve this improvement upon completion of its main energy centre that will use locally produced waste heat from Edmonton Eco-Park.

We have also committed to offsetting the residual energy from our own operations using sustainable means, including the planting of 100,000 trees to recreate woodland in northern Enfield.

UK100 has been a forum for Enfield Council to learn from others, share our knowledge and showcase our achievements. Going forward it will continue to be an important network which supports recognition and delivery of our climate action ambitions."

- Cllr Ian Barnes,
Deputy Leader and the Chair of Climate Change Task Force

Key project 2: Solar panel installations

A project to install solar panels on Essex Outdoors Danbury and Danbury Park Community Primary School in November 2020. It is supported by funding from "Empower" (Enabling More People's OWnership in Energy tRansition) and the European Commission (Interreg North Sea Region Programme). A further school installation in Danbury is to follow in 2021. There is also roll out of smart meters and further solar panels in Essex schools with support from DfE.

Key project 3: The Essex Forest Initiative

In October 2019, we committed to plant £1million worth of trees over the next five years. This will include planting 375,000 trees, over 150 hectares, equivalent to the size of 210 football pitches.ex Forest Initiative. Read more.

"Being a member of the UK100 network is a great opportunity for us to link in with other councils to share information and learn from one another.

The coronavirus pandemic has shown all of us simple ways in which we can take action to reduce carbon emissions and lead a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. We need to make the most of this opportunity to take ambitious steps to make major changes to secure the future of our planet for future generations to come.

I am committed to tackling climate change issues. Just last month the new Essex Climate Action Commission, which we established earlier this year, launched its interim report laying out some of the steps Essex needs to take to become a net zero county by 2050. The work of the Commission helps support and guide our own Climate Action programme."

- Cllr Simon Walsh,
Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change Action

*The council will be setting a formal target in 2021.

Key project 2: Youth Climate Panel, established September 2019

We have set up a youth panel to inform the county's actions. The first Youth Climate Panel meeting took place on 21 September 2019. We are pleased to be working with 40 young people aged 16 - 24 years on developing our Climate Change Strategy.

"We want everyone to be able to play their part in bringing about a Net Zero Gloucestershire and we want to be 80% there by 2030, and in doing so bring about a sustained significant improvement in air quality, improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.

In October, Cabinet signed up to the Gloucestershire Tree Strategy, developed by Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership, with the ambition of 20% tree canopy cover by 2030 and requiring 35 million trees to be grown, which will improve air quality.

As a direct result the Woodland Trust invited us to apply to their pilot Emergency Tree Fund – a proposal for £300,000 has been submitted, seeking to bring about at-scale tree planting and woodland creation in Gloucestershire this planting season and next, making a rapid start to delivering the Tree Strategy, building on successes to date.

Renewable electricity from the solar PV panels on Shire Hall charge our electric and plug-in hybrid pool cars, which in turn help to improve air quality displacing emissions from staff-owned 'grey fleet' vehicles.

Being a UK100 member demonstrates our commitment to realising our ambitions for Gloucestershire and through the County Climate Network to lobby Government to ensure we get the support we need to realise them."

- Peter Wiggins,
Outcome Manager, Sustainability

Key project 2: Energy Innovation Agency

A new Energy Innovation Agency (EIA) to be established between three Greater Manchester universities, local government and industry was announced in September 2020 with the aim of kick-starting a decade of clean energy innovation to meet the region's 2038 carbon neutral target.

Key project 3: Delivery of the first phase of Bee Network

The Bee Network proposal is a vision to make Greater Manchester an easier place for people to get around on foot or by bike. Our aim is to make the region a nicer place to live, work, get on and grow old and to connect every neighbourhood and community, while helping people be less dependent on cars.

The proposal is a vision for Greater Manchester to become the very first city-region in the UK to have a fully joined-up cycling and walking network: the most comprehensive in Britain covering 1,800 miles.

Greater Manchester's Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, put together a 15-step plan to transform our region by changing the way we move; this was called Made to Move.

This plan aims to tackle the societal problems that GM shares with the rest of the country - an obesity epidemic, air quality

We have set the ambitious goal of a carbon neutral Greater Manchester by 2038, 12 years ahead of the rest of the UK. It's a tough target but we're confident we can get there because we've been laying very strong collaborative foundations.

 

We've been helped along the way in developing them by UK100. They've given us, and other local areas, a really strong voice to government about the help we need to give us the green growth, green jobs, and skills development to build a zero carbon economy."

- Andy Burnham,
Mayor of Greater Manchester

Key project 2: Community projects

Four community projects, in collaboration with expert partners, and based on robust evidence, have been launched to deliver a cohesive programme of activity for residents to support them in reducing residential emissions and increasing energy generation opportunities. Read more.

Key project 3: Strategic Programmes

A series of large-scale, challenging Strategic Programmes have been developed, based on our Strategic Priorities, outlined in our Climate Change Strategy 2020-2025. The Strategic Programme focuses on bridging the gaps and establishing a programme of activity across key sectors to deliver the step change that will be required to achieve our challenging 2050 targets.

Uniquely, carbon impact estimates have been developed for each programme, working with the Carbon Trust, allowing the Council to track progress and be held accountable for delivery against the targets set.

 

"Climate change has already had a significant impact in Hampshire. Flooding and extreme weather events alone have caused damage to homes, infrastructure and our natural environment, with far reaching consequences for us as an authority and for our communities.

Engaging with Hampshire's communities and working with partners is key to ensuring this strategy is delivered and effective action is taken. We must embed climate change thinking into everything we do, and I am encouraged by how much significant activity is taking place across Hampshire."

- Cllr Jan Warwick,
Hampshire County Council's Climate Change Advisor to the Executive

Key project 2: Council housing energy efficiency

Haringey Council has allocated £101m in its capital programme, which alongside external funding, will be used to improve the average energy efficiency of its council housing stock to an EPC rating of B over the course of the next decade (2020-2030).

Key project 3: Promoting active travel

With funding from Government and TfL, alongside the Council's own capital funding, we will continue to promote active travel – and encourage behavioural change among our residents – by implementing School Streets infrastructure outside our schools between now and 2025. For more details, visit the Haringey Council website.

"We're determined to improve the environment here in Haringey through the Climate Change Action Plan, the energy efficiency improvements in our council housing stock and our Active Travel and Schools Streets programmes. Measures such as these – among others – will help us all as we aim to become a net zero carbon council by 2027, and borough by 2041."

- Cllr Kirsten Hearn,
Haringey Council's Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Equalities and Leisure

Key project 2: Keep Herefordshire Warm

Our Keep Herefordshire Warm service currently offers the following services to residents:

• Energy efficiency advice and administer grant funding to help keep Herefordshire residents healthy and comfortable at home.

• Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery will deliver 100 home energy efficiency upgrades to low-income, fuel poor households.

• Warm Homes Fund is providing first time gas heating systems in 585 homes across Herefordshire and Shropshire as well as providing additional targeted advice.

• Warm Homes Fund is also providing 75 first time central heating installs in rural properties in Herefordshire with renewable systems or LPG.

• Warm Homes Fund, Park Homes is delivering 123 new gas central heating systems to be installed in Fayre Oaks Home Park.

Key project 3: Destination Hereford

Between 2011 and 2020 Herefordshire Council has delivered the DfT funded Destination Hereford projects which have successfully delivered behavioural change and modal shift from car use to sustainable transport alternatives. The main objectives for the Access Fund are supporting local sustainable growth, improving active access to jobs, skills, training and education and reducing CO2 emissions.

Scheme elements include:

• City wide bike share scheme delivered by Beryl with 200 bikes across the city

• Active Travel in Schools, Colleges and Higher Education including pupil engagement cycling and walking activities.

• Choose How You Move, a communications campaign as well as walking actives, real time counters, adult cycle training and way marking

• Grass roots cycling and walking groups and activities including bike loans

• Healthy Lifestyle Trainers in partnership with Public Health to 'train the trainers' including a Walking for Health county wide initiative.

• Park and Choose sites to enable people to park outside of the city and walk, cycle or take the bus to their destination.

 

Under the Towns Fund we are proposing to deliver two new eBike projects before the end of March 2021:

• A grant scheme to support businesses purchase electric cargo bikes and electric bikes to enable them to reduce their carbon footprint, increase employee health and wellbeing and improve business efficiency. • Adding eBikes to the existing public bike share scheme alongside the existing pedal bikes.

"Herefordshire Council is committed to achieving net zero across its own operations by 2030/31. We have already made great progress towards this by reducing our carbon emissions by 49% from 2008/09 to 2019/20 but we know we need to do more. "We have set out an interim target to reach a 75% reduction by the end of the year 2025/26 in our latest carbon management plan and will publish a further carbon management plan in 2025/26 to set out how we will reach net zero carbon by 2030/31 or before.

Not only are we committed to reducing our own emissions, we are also committed to working with strategic partners, residents and local organisations across the county to collectively come together and support each other to reduce our impact on the environment and achieve countywide carbon neutrality.

We are also developing a nature strategy which will set out how we will protect and enhance biodiversity and achieve biodiversity net gain."

- Cllr Ellie Chowns,
Cabinet Member for Environment, Economy and Skills

Key project 2: Active travel schemes

Following a successful bid to the Department for Transport, Lancashire County Council were awarded £2.8m to deliver an integrated package of high quality physical interventions and complementary messages to promote healthier travel choices and create an environment that is safer for both walking and cycling. Read more

Key project 2: Fleet electric upgrade

Ongoing replacement of our existing vehicle fleet with electric alternatives and additional provision of pool cars for business travel. Electric charge points have also been installed close to our offices and in key council car parks.

Key project 3: People's Jury

The jury was formed to examine the response to the climate emergency so far and produce recommendations that will be used to guide the future work of the council and a range of other organisations across the district.

It first met in February 2020 and delivered its recommendations in November 2020. They recognise that while local authorities need to accept and financially support the recommendations, real change will only come about by involving communities.

A briefing has been provided to stakeholders on the findings and a public meeting has been arranged to engage our communities and ask for their ideas on how they can be implemented. Feedback to date has been positive, with stakeholders keen to embrace the aims.

"It is urgent we take action to reach net zero, we cannot be overwhelmed by the challenge, we must act, we must learn from those further down the path and we must mobilise others to act.

Being part of the UK100, which connects us with other councils who share our commitment to net zero, is an important part of our commitment to reach net zero. We share what we have learnt, we learn from others and together we will reach net zero."

- Cllr Erica Lewis,
Leader of Lancaster City Council

Footprint

"Leeds City Council is committed to tackling climate change and creating a fairer and healthier city for all. We've already committed to significantly cut our own emissions and become a carbon neutral city by 2030. However, this journey will not be without its challenges.

The UK100 network gives us the opportunity to work together to better solve the challenges local authorities are currently facing. I look forward to continuing to work with local leaders across the country on the road to net zero."

- Cllr Judith Blake,
Leader of Leeds City Council

*Bassetlaw currently does not have set dates to achieving carbon neutrality, but this will be agreed upon shortly through supporting evidence from their newly elected Climate Change Officer.

Key project 2: Support for vulnerable households

The Council's Action Plan prioritises support for vulnerable households. Thanks to funding from the Mayor of London, the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme and UK Power Networks, the project now supports residents across South London. Between now and March 2021 we will be giving practical assistance to over 3,500 households in Lewisham and South London, helping them stay warm and well this winter.

Key project 3: Community Energy Fund

Lewisham established a Community Energy Fund in 2019, supporting local organisations to deliver innovative community-based climate projects. This project has funded work by Retrofit Action for Tomorrow (RAFT) in St Winifred's School, Lewisham, to identify the works to school buildings that will create a zero carbon school. Find a video about these projects here.

"Since declaring a climate emergency in early 2019 we have been working on a number of projects to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.

These include research projects to support our housing team to meet zero carbon standards, supporting vulnerable households with their energy use and supporting local organisations in delivering innovative community-based climate projects.

We are also taking strong steps to help improve air quality and protect people's health with new banded charges for resident and business parking permits based on a vehicle's CO2 emissions."

- Cllr Sophie McGeevor,
Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport

Key project 2: 600km cycling and walking network under construction

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool City Region Cycling and Walking Commissioner Simon O'Brien have committed to the acceleration and broadening of the city region's cycling and walking scheme, with investment to rise from £16m to more than £30m.

Pop-up cycle lanes, expanded footpaths in key locations to support social distancing and the installation of new secure bike storage at key locations like hospitals, work places and around rail and bus stations are amongst measures to be introduced as quickly as possible. Read more.

Key project 3: Community Environment Fund worth half a million pounds launched in October

Community environment groups across the city region are set to benefit from a £500,000 fund, which aims to improve the environment in the Liverpool City Region, encourage long-term behavioural change, and promote community engagement and participation in environmental projects. Read more.

"Since I was elected Mayor, tackling the climate crisis has been one of my top priorities and I was proud that we were the first Combined Authority in the country to declare a Climate Emergency in recognition of the scale of the challenge we face.

But we aren't just talking about climate change, we're taking firm action to reverse it. We plan on being net zero carbon a whole decade ahead of national targets, are taking polluting buses off the roads and replacing them with hydrogen models and retrofitting our region's homes to make them much more energy efficient.

Best of all, we're developing plans to harness the power of the River Mersey, our region's lifeblood for centuries, through a tidal scheme that has the potential to generate enough clean, predictable energy to power up to one million homes. I am lobbying hard for Government support but, as far as I am concerned, it should be a no brainer for them.

It is part of my plans to establish us as Britain's 'Renewable Energy Coast', building on the impressive energy mix we already have in our region, from offshore wind to hydrogen and solar.

We know that we cannot solve the climate conundrum alone – but we are determined to do our bit. If everybody plays their part, we will start to see major progress. It is time for the government to start playing much more of a leading role."

- Steve Rotheram,
Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region

Key project 2: Purchase of 27 electric refuse collection vehicles

Manchester City Council is replacing almost half of its refuse collection vehicles with emission-free electric alternatives. 27 new electric refuse collection vehicles (e-RCVs) have been ordered to replace diesel wagons which had reached the end of their natural lifespans. The £9.8m investment is a big step towards delivering the Council's zero carbon action plan which aims to halve its direct carbon emissions by 2025 as part of a wider drive to make Manchester zero carbon by 2038 at the latest in response to the climate change emergency. The switch to electric eRCVs will save around 900 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

Key project 3: West Gorton sponge park

The West Gorton sponge park has been developed as part of the H2020-funded GrowGreen project. The project aims to demonstrate how Nature Based Solutions can mitigate the impact of climate change. The new €1.5 million community park demonstrates how flood risk can be reduced through the use of "green infrastructure". It opened in June 2020 and includes a number of sustainable urban drainage features, such as swales, rain gardens, permeable paving and bio-retention tree pits to reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer system. The park also aims to improve local biodiversity and provide a much-needed green space for residents to exercise, socialise and relax.

"We have made demonstrable progress since the declaration of the climate emergency and established a strong platform for further radical action.

The climate emergency is exactly what it says. Not every change can happen overnight and many are complicated to deliver, but we are moving with pace and determination.

People will understandably wonder whether the huge economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic will dilute our environmental ambitions.

I would like to reassure everyone that playing our full part in limiting the impact of climate change will be an integral part of the recovery - not only benefiting people's health and wellbeing but creating new opportunities in the green economy."

- Cllr Angeliki Stogia,
Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport

Key project 2: Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project

A £3.9m BEIS funded Electrification of Heat demonstration project, in partnership with E.ON, exploring how to overcome barriers to people adopting alternatives to more traditional boilers and demonstrate the feasibility of a large-scale rollout of heat pumps in advance of the proposed ban on installing gas systems in new homes from 2025. As part of the project 250 homes in Newcastle will be fitted with free heating upgrades. Read more.

Key project 3: Clean Air Zone

A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) for Newcastle city centre that, from later in 2021, aims to reduce the number of high polluting vehicles, including older buses, HGVs, vans and taxis, entering our city in order to improve air quality. Read more.

"The Climate Emergency is as real as it was before the pandemic and climate change remains the challenge of our generation. "

We have a once-in-a lifetime moment to inspire and empower people to deliver lasting local change, transitioning our city from two centuries of reliance on fossil fuels, and driving a green recovery that helps our society and economy build forward better.

We must grasp that opportunity for the benefit of all."

- Cllr Nick Forbes,
Leader of Newcastle City Council

Key project 2: Energy, Green Growth and Climate Change programme

NTCA's Energy and Green Growth and Climate Change programme was approved in March 2020 and allocated over £24m to 2023 with the intention that this will bring in significant levels of additional funding and investment. The programme has three overarching themes: offshore wind, green growth, and climate emergency.

• Offshore wind: an initial £12m to support the development of the offshore wind sector. This includes a £6.5m subsea infrastructure and subsea call for proposals to support the development of a robust pipeline of investable propositions with a focus on developing infrastructure. It also includes a £3.5m Technology, Innovation and Green Growth for Offshore Renewables (TIGGOR) programme designed to boost supply chain growth and productivity. NTCA have partnered with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, who will deliver the TIGGOR programme on our behalf

• Green Growth: a £10m Green New Deal fund was approved which will support the development of a 'green economy' in the area. The projects that will be supported by this funding will create/safeguard local jobs while decreasing carbon emissions. NTCA have invited proposals from organisations to manage £9m of the Green New Deal Fund. NTCA has allocated £1m of the Green New Deal fund to support project development capacity to enable low carbon projects to progress to investment decisions. This will be managed separately.

• Green Skills: £2m to support development of green skills as part of our broader approach to skills. We are currently developing our appoach.

• Climate emergency and supporting communities to reduce carbon emissions

○ £100,000 towards development work to establish an NTCA revolving Carbon Reduction Fund, and to set an ambition that this Fund will leverage over £10m of projects. The development work will include establishing proposals for funding and delivery mechanisms to support bottom-up community energy generation proposals. ○ £100,000 to develop a pipeline of future interventions to support citizen, community and public sector engagement – currently developing our approach.

Key project 3: Developing a co-benefits approach to policy with Ashden

NTCA are working with Ashden, a climate change charity, who have funded a two-year post based at NTCA to support the development of a climate change co-benefits approach to policy.

"The climate emergency is real and urgent. But no individual or organisation can tackle it alone – we must work together.

We're taking serious action in the North of Tyne with our Green New Deal, investing in offshore wind and green skills and engaging the public through our Citizens' Assembly on climate change.

As we recover from the coronavirus crisis we must build back cleaner, greener and better."

- Jamie Driscoll,
North of Tyne Mayor

Key project 2: Carbon Management Programme

Started in 2007, the Carbon Management Programme (CMP), funded via SALIX, has rolled out over 200 energy saving projects worth over £2m. With a 4.39 year average saving and nearly 60,000 tCO2e lifetime savings. Projects include LED upgrades, voltage management, new IT and cooling, insulation and motor controls to name just a few.

Key project 3: : Building for the future

We have recently completed an award winning development of 93 new Passivhaus homes at Goldsmith Street. These homes are ultra-low energy, meaning residents use a lot less gas and electricity. Thanks to their energy efficient design and eco-technology annual energy costs are estimated to be 70% cheaper than for the average household.

This development helps tackle fuel poverty in the city and is aligned with Norwich City Council's climate change agenda. This is one of the largest residential certified Passivhaus developments in the UK, and all homes are let for social rent. We are proud to say that Goldsmith Street won the RIBA Stirling Prize 2019, awarded to the UK's best new building. We also won the inaugural Neave Brown Award for Housing, which recognises the best new affordable housing in the UK.

We also started one of the largest mixed tenure Passivhaus house developments in the UK - Rayne Park in the west of Norwich, and have built a carbon-negative car park, which sequesters 59 tonnes of CO2e annually. Finally we are also retrofitting our significant social housing stock making it more energy efficient year on year.

"Our Norwich 2040 City Vision commits us to keeping Norwich a liveable city for future generations, and we are proud of our substantial progress, as indicated by the multiple national awards and commendations we've received in recent years.

We recently created a cross-party Climate and Environment Emergency Executive Panel, to gather our collective thoughts and work together to deliver positive change for the city. We're confident that we will continue to do that in the future."

- Cllr Kevin Maguire,
Cabinet Member for Safe and Sustainable City Environment

*City wide shift to renewable energy by 2040

"In OIdham we know that our net zero commitments are very ambitious. However, the scale of the climate and ecological emergency demands that we act. Doing nothing is not an option.

We also believe though that there is a huge opportunity for our residents and businesses to play their part in, and benefit from, the jobs and training opportunities which will come out of the low carbon transition."

- Cllr Sean Fielding,
Leader of Oldham Council

Key project 2: Renewal Action Plan

The Renewal Action Plan (RAP) is the main vehicle through which we're bidding and preparing for the extraordinary funding we need for a green transformation.

The RAP includes proposals for £200m of green investment just over a period of 18 months, "to accelerate our transition to Net Zero, while creating jobs, building up our high-value industries, and improving quality of life for our communities.

Key project 3: Northern Forest

Tree planting helps increase carbon capture in the city region and we will be using a natural capital mapping approach to help identify optimum locations for habitat creation such as woodland, wetland and peatbog that can capture and lock in more carbon.

In the right place, woodland creation and tree planting can also support Climate Adaption, by improving air quality, reducing the impacts of extreme temperatures and rain water attenuation in the urban

A Woodland Creation Officer is joining us to work with the Local Nature Partnership, the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust and other partners to map and collate evidence, identify opportunities for woodland creation, prepare a delivery plan and raise additional funding to put this plan into action.

Mayor Dan Jarvis has also tabled an amendment to the Environment Bill requiring the government to give a legislative basis to targets for tree planting across England.

"Climate change is the biggest threat we face. Since South Yorkshire's leaders declared a Climate Emergency in November 2019, we have pushed ahead with our efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the region no later than 2040, ten years ahead of the national target.

Our £1.7billion Renewal Action Plan sets out the roadmap for a stronger, greener and fairer economy in the wake of the pandemic. The plan includes more than £200m of proposed green investment over just 18 months to accelerate our transition to Net Zero, while creating jobs, growing our high-value industries, and improving quality of life for our communities.

As we recover from the economic and social impact of coronavirus we need the government to play its part and enable the extraordinary investment we need as part of a Green New Deal for the whole country. The spending that is so essential to boost the economy and create jobs must also help us tackle the enormous challenge of climate change."

- Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis

Key project 2: Climate Emergency Community Fund

A new grant scheme is now available to help local communities take positive action to help Somerset become carbon neutral and mitigate the impacts of Climate Change.

From 1 October, city, town and parish councils and community organisations in unparished areas across Somerset are invited to bid for between £5,000 and £75,000 for innovative projects that can make a real difference in reducing carbon emissions and can contribute to making Somerset resilient to the effects of climate change.

Key project 3: Carbon Reduction Business Grants

Carbon reduction grants were made available on 16 November 2020 until 31 March 2021. Businesses in Somerset can apply for a carbon reduction grant of between £500 and £1,000 until 31 March 2021 to help improve their carbon footprint. The grant is being made available by the five councils in Somerset as part of the Climate Emergency Strategy.

"The council is working to deliver on Somerset's Climate Emergency Strategy actions based on feedback gathered from residents and businesses. Our key actions in the strategy are to cut our emissions and build resilience to the likely risks that may arise.

We will now work together with the community to help them understand how they can reduce their carbon footprint. We will be working hard to reduce our own carbon footprint and where necessary, lobby government on national policy.

We are delighted to be part of the Countryside Climate Network and work collaboratively to combat climate change."

- Cllr Clare Paul,
Cabinet Member for Public Health & Climate Change

Key project 2: Carbon Literacy Project training for members and officers

From December 2020 to April 2021, SLCD is taking part in Carbon Literacy Project training. Carbon Literacy is relevant climate change learning that catalyses action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Carbon Literacy Project is based on the key aim that if we are to cut our carbon emissions by the kind of reductions demanded of us by science, then we will need to change culture alongside technology. Carbon Literacy training is offered through workplaces, educational institutions and communities.

"South Lakeland District Council is invested in action to combat climate change. We have declared a climate emergency and have a Climate Change Action Plan based on suggestions gathered from our residents and businesses. Local authorities are ideally placed to show leadership, listen and work alongside our communities.

We are delighted to be part of the Countryside Climate Network. When we work collaboratively to address the impact of climate change and biodiversity loss, there is the potential to do much more because we are doing it together."

- Cllr Dyan Jones,
portfolio holder for climate emergency and localism

Key project 2: Hebburn Minewater Scheme

The Hebburn Minewater Scheme, whose construction is due to start in spring 2021 and complete in summer 2023, will draw geothermal energy from abandoned flooded coal mines in former Hebburn Colliery to heat council-owned buildings including homes. It is expected to deliver an annual reduction of 319 tonnes of carbon and has attracted £3.8m ERDF funding due to its innovative nature.

Key project 3: Middlefields Recycling Transfer Station

The Middlefields Recycling Transfer Station, completed in December 2019, allows up to 20,000 tonnes of recyclable materials to be sorted on site, cutting vehicle emissions by 400 tonnes per year, as well as 140,000 litres of fuel. Solar panels installed in the roof space will generate around 80,000 kW of electricity annually. 900kW turbine is planned for the site, which would cut annual carbon emissions by around 470 tonnes.

"Climate change is a very real and present danger. As a council we take our responsibilities to reduce our carbon footprint very seriously and work to embed the green agenda in our policy making and the wider work that we do.

We're implementing strategies and developing projects that bring about real change and contribute significantly to our drive to become carbon neutral by 2030.

We're reducing the amount of carbon being emitted, while increasing our renewable capabilities and moving to cleaner, greener renewable sources for our energy supplies.

All of this action, and more, is making a significant contribution in our fight against the devastating effects of climate change but we don't have the time or luxury for complacency, and we know there is still more to be done."

- Cllr Ernest Gibson,
Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety

*While we do not have a specific target or date established for a carbon neutral borough, we have declared within the Climate Change Strategy that we will 'Lead by example, establishing South Tyneside Council as a champion for a carbon neutral future for the borough. This will include using the council's advocacy role to influence actions across all our communities and across the region that promotes carbon reduction.'

Key project 2: Climate Emergency Declaration one year on

Much of the work we have done to date is 'under the radar' but critical for the identification and delivery of targeted, effective actions that will bring about change. We're laying strong foundations by increasing councillor (district, town and parish) and staff knowledge of the science of climate change so we can better understand how to mitigate the impact and we've partnered with experts at Keele University to deliver training events and provide expert advice. We're also strengthening our links with our communities and our businesses and industries in recognition of the fundamental role they have in achieving success. Read more.

Key project 3: Embedding Net Zero targets into council policies and strategies

The council wants to lead by example and is taking every opportunity to ensure our policies and strategies reflect our objectives of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Reflecting the breadth of services we provide, the projects we're working on include everything from ensuring we use our procurement processes to build in 'green' practices and looking to move to electric fleet vehicles to ensuring council buildings are single-use plastic free, and reminding our teams to turn off their monitors and office lights at the end of the day. Read more.

"Tackling climate change remains every bit as important as it was before the Covid-19 health pandemic and the council is wholeheartedly committed to a 'green' recovery in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Rural communities such as ours are at the forefront of both feeling the effects of climate change and taking action to address it and I am determined that we use our influence to ensure we leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it.

To that end we're developing a Nature Recovery Network and, with our partners, we're already working on around 60 nature-based projects across our District.

Being part of UK100 means we can learn from others, share our successes and experiences and be part of the voice that speaks collectively to amplify these messages and move faster towards our shared goal of achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating against the impact of climate change."

- Cllr Joe Porter,
Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity

Key project 2: Move Urmston leisure centre redevelopment

As an example of work already done that highlights our commitment to net zero, the redevelopment of our leisure centre – Move Urmston – was praised for its innovative use and sustainability. The refurbishment of existing buildings saved a huge amount of embodied carbon, while roof insulation and added vents in the sports hall, makes use of natural air to keep the hall cool, rather than the use of air conditioning. Further measures, such as auto-off switches and a more efficient heating system have resulted in the leisure centre achieving a 6.9% reduction on the carbon emissions from the notional equivalent.

"Air pollution is estimated to contribute to the equivalent of 1,200 deaths in Greater Manchester each year and that is simply appalling.

We cannot stand by and fail our children by continuing to pollute the world. Trafford is therefore committed to cleaning up our borough so that we can all enjoy a better quality of life.

We realise that our plans are ambitious but we cannot do this alone. That is why we are working with businesses and partners in Trafford to achieve our aims. All of our boroughs in Greater Manchester are also working together on issues such as our Clean Air Zone, with myself as Green City-region Portfolio Lead for Greater Manchester.

It is also vital that we are able to speak to like-minded authorities, to discuss ideas, ambitions, challenges and opportunities. This is where being a member of UK100 is so useful. By coming together as one group, we can lead the way on climate change and clean air, and deliver a better world for our residents and future generations."

- Cllr Andrew Western,
Leader of the Council and with portfolio responsibility for Sustainability and Climate Change

Key project 2: Converting the fleet to ultra-low emissions

Our ambition is to embrace the best technologies and create suitable infrastructure to allow all of the council's fleet vehicles and plant to be converted and/or replaced with ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) by 2030. Success will be partly measured against an increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) and a corresponding reduction in the levels of CO emissions from the council's fleet. Read more on page 17 of our Climate Change Action Plan.

Key project 3: Creating sustainable lifestyles and communities

Our ambition is for all employees and elected members of the council to understand the climate change emergency and be responsive to this within their day- to-day actions, decisions, and longer term visions and plans for both internal services and the district as a whole. And furthermore, for interventions to be made into appropriate procurement processes to embed carbon reduction in third party service delivery, and for existing supply chain partners to be engaged with to help us achieve the same goal. Read more on page 29 of our Climate Change Action Plan.

"The UK's current target is to be carbon neutral by 2050 but Wakefield Council made a pledge to go both further and faster to respond to the threat of climate change.

We have to lead by example and we believe that the proposed Climate Change Action Plan provides a solid foundation for sustained and rapid carbon emission reductions. This will enable the Council to demonstrate its full commitment to the climate emergency, to deliver against its net zero promises, to protect our local environment, to increase biodiversity and make our district a cleaner, greener and better place to live.

We all need to work together collectively to combat climate change. That is why it is so important to us to find out what matters to our residents and businesses and how we can support them to shape our future plans. It is also crucial that we involve the next generation, who will be the ones most affected by climate change.

We hope our ambitious plans will not only be used to reduce our emissions as a Council but be the start of a behavioural shift where reducing impacts of climate change are instrumental in everyday decisions. We hope to help educate, influence and inspire the wider district to lead a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle."

-Cllr Jack Hemingway,
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Lead for Environment & Climate Change

*For emissions that are under our direct control. We also hope that the entire district can achieve this goal too if possible, if not we hope to achieve it by 2038.

Key project 2: Enjoy Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest 'Mini Holland' certainly lives up to its name. With its modal filters – measures that limit the passage of motor vehicles through residential areas (rat running) –, helping to support and prioritise the near 50% of residents who do not own a car to safely travel by foot or bike, more often. 33km of new segregated cycle lanes now criss-cross the borough linking up our low traffic neighbourhoods.

With 500 bike hangers installed in residential streets, seven cycle hubs at key rail and tube stations and a substantial package of free cycle training and free bike loans we are also putting in place the necessary complementary measures to help sustain and encourage an increase in cycling in Waltham Forest.

Our bold approach is working, according to 2018 King's College London research, more than 51,000 households across the borough now no longer live in areas with dangerous levels of air pollution compared to a decade before.

Key project 3: SALIX Recycling Fund

We are investing more than £1.17m on energy efficiency improvements in 2020-21. These improvements will reduce the council's carbon emissions by 308 tonnes of CO2 a year and the estimated £155k annual savings generated from the improved energy efficiency, will help to offset possible future increases in wholesale energy costs.

This builds on our investment of more than £2.8m on energy efficiency improvements over the last decade, such as £640,000 of energy efficiency improvements in eleven maintained schools. These projects have created annual savings of £84,382 and 243 tonnes CO2e. Read more.

"Waltham Forest already has a strong record of achievement and we are determined to continue this as we work with our partners and our residents to tackle the growing climate emergency, whether it through infrastructure projects like Waltham Forest 'Mini Holland', or working with partners to invest in a range of energy efficiency projects, to simple things like planting more trees.

It's evident that our approach is working, however we know we have much more to do, that's why going forward, we're looking to reflect on the outcomes and recommendations from our Climate Emergency Commission to help us shape and support our own, our partners and resident's response around the installation and development of additional low and zero carbon technologies across the borough to realise further significant CO2 savings.

We know that we need to change, not the climate. That's why we are not apologetic about the bold changes we have made and will continue to make. This is a key commitment in our new Public Service Strategy and these changes have to be made for the good of our children, our climate and the wider good."

- Cllr Clyde Loakes,
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment

*This will form part of the Council's climate emergency strategy, which is due in Spring 2021, following an assessment of our Climate Commissions recommendations.

Key project 2: Two cutting-edge solar farms in York and Hull to supply the council

In early 2019, Warrington Borough Council launched a £62m deal with GRIDSERVE to construct two cutting-edge solar farms, in York and Hull. The largest solar farms to be built in the UK since 2016, the electricity from York will be sold on the open market while Hull will supply all the council's energy needs. The deal will make Warrington the first local authority to produce all of its own electricity. The York solar farm was completed and handed over to the council in December 2019.

Key project 3: Investment in Scottish energy company to supply residents with green electricity

In October 2019, the council announced a partnership with Scottish based energy company, Together Energy. The council's £18m investment will enable the company to supply its customers with green electricity in the future. The partnership aims to tackle fuel poverty in the borough, provide employment opportunities and, by supporting green energy, aims to ensure the council continues to lead the charge against the climate emergency. Read more

"We have been actively working on the climate change agenda for the past decade. During this time, we have taken huge steps forward in changing attitudes. We want to inspire, drive and support our communities to address the challenges of the climate emergency, working in partnership to achieve real change.

Our ambitions are clear - to be an exemplar green town - and we are fully committed to working with our communities and with partners across Warrington, the region and the country to deliver real change.

The data shows we are making excellent progress. We have already reduced our emissions by 50% in the decade from 2009 to 2019. We have achieved this through investing in multiple green energy schemes - including pioneering solar farm projects in Cirencester, York and Hull.

Our investments mean we are already a long way towards our goal of becoming one of the first councils in the UK to be self-sufficient in green energy."

- Cllr Russ Bowden,
Leader of Warrington Borough Council

Key project 2: Council transformation

We have already replaced our 36,900 street lights across the borough with new LED derivatives, reducing CO2 emissions by over 3,400 tonnes per year and saving the council over £1m on its annual energy bill. The annual carbon reduction report shows that 10,948 kilo tonnes of CO2 were emitted from council buildings and street lights between 2016 and 2017, a reduction of 7% on the previous year.

Key project 3: Eco-schools programme

We understand that young people will be instrumental in driving forward environmental benefits in years to come and how important an issue it is to them. That is why we host an annual eco-schools programme which brings together children from various schools in the borough to learn more about the environmental challenges facing us. We see the young people of our borough as the key catalyst to the real behaviour change needed for the successful transition to a carbon free future.

"We recognise the urgent and significant environmental challenges faced by not just Wigan Borough but around the world, and we want to be at the forefront of positive change.

Our Climate Change Strategy sets out how we will tackle this global issue. We are totally committed to working with our residents, young people and our partners to ensure we deliver on our key environmental targets and deliver a greener, cleaner and healthier borough for future generations.

The next few years will be an exciting time as we continue to accelerate our plans. The time for change is now, doing nothing is not an option."

- Cllr Paul Prescott,
Wigan Council's cabinet member for environment

Key project 2: Zero carbon council homes

We are investing £195m in new zero carbon council homes and £289m on improving the energy efficiency of all existing council homes by 2032.

Key project 3: Salisbury River Park scheme

We are working with the Environment Agency and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver the £18m Salisbury River Park scheme. This scheme will deliver significant flood prevention measures to reduce the risk of flooding for existing residents and businesses in Salisbury City Centre. This includes additional flood defences, improvements for leisure and recreational uses, plus ecology and biodiversity enhancements.

"We're delighted to be a founder member of the Countryside Climate Network and to sign the Net Zero pledge to ensure the important voice of rural councils is heard in the fight against climate change.

Climate solutions and green recovery packages have largely missed the rural voice, and we need to be properly funded to support our ambitions as a rural county, so we can create opportunities in the Wiltshire countryside.

Carbon neutrality will be extremely challenging to achieve and we will need investment from government to help us meet this goal. COP26 will shine a spotlight on the UK's role in tackling climate change, and we need to show leadership at all levels, from national to local, to achieve this.

There are so many things councils can do to help tackle climate change. For example, in Wiltshire we are investing £195m in new zero carbon council homes and £289m on improving the energy efficiency of all existing council homes by 2032."

- Cllr Richard Clewer,
Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for climate change

"Wychavon has been taking action on climate change for more than 10 years and our latest Intelligently Green Plan (2020-2030) sets out an even more ambitious but realistic plan to cut carbon emissions of the council and the wider district.

Our vision is to lead the district to be carbon neutral as quickly as possible and by 2050 at latest, as well as growing the local low carbon economy and restoring, enhancing and creating a range of natural habitats. We are pleased to join other ambitious local government on the UK100 pledge to work together to achieve a clean and green future."

- Cllr Emma Stokes,
Executive Board Member for Environment