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New report: Local Authority Contributions to Net Zero by ECCI and UK100

UK100 today launched the Local Authority Contributions to Net Zero report in the Blue Zone at COP26.

The network supports decision-makers in UK towns, cities and counties in their transition to Net Zero. It is the only network for UK local leaders focused solely on climate, clean energy and clean air policy and seeks to devise and implement plans for the transition to clean energy that are ambitious, cost effective and take the public and business with them.

The report was commissioned by UK100 and carried out by the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) as an independent study to identify:

  • The areas of activity local authorities have direct responsibility for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • The powers to influence GHG emissions that local authorities have
  • The percentage share of GHG emissions that local authorities have control over
  • Identify those sources that local authorities have influence over.

Local Authorities and Net Zero

While it has legislated for Net Zero nationally, the UK Government’s approach to working in partnership with local authorities to enable programmes and projects that will achieve Net Zero hasn’t delivered to date.

Local authorities’ efforts are being hampered by a lack of a UK Government local delivery policy framework, a lack of clarity over local authorities’ overall roles, piecemeal funding, and diffuse powers and responsibilities.

The Net Zero Strategy’s inclusion of plans for a Local Net Zero Forum is a positive indication that these issues have been acknowledged by the Government, but the formation and operation of this Forum will be crucial to ensure effective delivery.

The report estimates that local authorities contribute around 6% of the UK emissions inventory (range of 4% to 9% - direct and indirect emissions). This figure is three times the impact of all non-energy related emissions from industrial processes in the UK, which accounted for 2% of the UK’s GHG emissions in 2018.

The Government’s provisional figures in the Net Zero Strategy estimate that over 30% of the emissions reductions needed across all sectors to deliver on the 6th Carbon Budget target, rely on local authority involvement to some degree.

There is now great urgency for the development of a more coherent approach. An approach that puts in place the necessary consistent monitoring and reporting, that develops the partnerships needed, and equips local authorities with the powers, skills and resources that they need to play their full part in the delivery of Net Zero.

Read the report

UK100

The network supports decision-makers in UK towns, cities and counties in their transition to Net Zero. It is the only network for UK local leaders focused solely on climate, clean energy and clean air policy.

To accelerate the transition to this Net Zero society, UK100 brings together local authorities across the country to share knowledge, collaborate, and petition the UK government with their collective power.

They are working together to create flourishing communities - seizing the opportunities of technology to create jobs and establishing a nationwide project of renewal, focussed on local needs and ambitions.