The role of councils in helping to deliver Net Zero is highlighted in Chris Skidmore’s Mission Zero Review which sets out 129 recommendations and calls for accelerated climate action from Government.
In his report, the Conservative MP says that unlocking the ambition of places and communities will deliver the most successful version of Net Zero.
Mission Zero, the MP’s Net Zero Review, makes recommendations which cover a range of areas including the greater role that business can be supported to play, making better use of infrastructure and delivering more energy efficient homes. Every one is designed to maximise economic investment, opportunities and jobs – all while working towards achieving legally binding targets to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The review sets out the ‘historic opportunity’ offered by net zero but says more should be done to reap the economic benefits that it presents.
Mr Skidmore has highlighted how the government’s Net Zero Strategy offers the right direction, and the right policies to do so.
He said: ”We should be proud of the lead the UK has taken in tackling climate change, having exceeded expectations so far in our race to net zero emissions by 2050. As essential as that is environmentally, it also puts us at an economic advantage globally.
”We lead in areas including clean technologies, science, manufacturing and green finance – areas that, if managed right, can lead to new jobs and strong economic growth.
”In developing this report, we have engaged with communities, economists and climate experts from across the country through more than 50 roundtables and 1800 submissions – all of which have led to the Mission Zero findings. My recommendations are designed to make the most of this historic opportunity, covering the length and breadth of our economy, so that people in every part of the country can reap the benefits of this both in their communities, and in their pockets.”
UK100, the UK‘s only cross-party network of local leaders committed to ambitious Net Zero action, worked closely with Chris Skidmore on Mission Zero and is directly referenced in the Net Zero Review several times
CEO, Polly Billington, said: “This independent review confirms what UK100 has been saying for years: local authorities are the key to achieving the UK’s Net Zero goals. We were delighted to work with Chris Skidmore MP on the review and welcome it, particularly the recommendation to end the disjointed mess of short-term, competitive local authority funding pots. This move would help communities maximise the economic and social benefits of Net Zero while making the most cost-effective use of resources. UK100 is committed to empowering local leaders to deliver on the UK’s ambitious climate targets, but we need central government to take heed of the Net Zero Review’s findings and commit to unlocking the ambition of local authorities to deliver the most successful version of Net Zero.”
You can read the review here.
Net Zero in Highways report
A new report by the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) highlights a range of actions needed to help local councils achieve net zero.
The findings of the ‘net zero in highways’ report show that whilst a number of councils have declared a climate emergency cost is seen as a major barrier that is stopping progress from being made.
Sixty-four of the 91 English councils who responded to the survey highlighted cost as one of the main barriers.
It was a similar story amongst the Welsh councils with 7 out of 10 also selecting cost as a significant barrier. The same trend appeared in London with 15 authorities in the capital stating that cost was stopping them making progress towards net zero.
91 English councils, 21 London-based councils and 10 Welsh councils all took part in the survey.
Other key findings in the report showed that:
• Just one council claimed it was fully advanced in taking forward practical steps to deliver net zero
• Of those who responded 84 councils have declared a climate emergency
• Myriad of options available to assess carbon savings
• Cost seen as main barrier stopping progress from being made
• Councils struggling to keep up with technological changes
• Lack of knowledge and skills stifling speed of EV charging rollout
The full report is available to view here.
LCRIG have been running a webinar series entitled ‘Practical steps on the journey to net zero’ which has explored in detail the work being done to accelerate the transition to clean energy and sustainable roads.
The next webinar will explore ‘Carbon Reduction in Fleet’ and is being sponsored by leading road marking contractor, WJ Group.
Discussion topics will include:
– How to calculate vehicle emissions
– Implementing the right charging infrastructure
– Decarbonising production machinery
– Steps to reduce use of vehicles
– Implementation of future technologies (e.g. hydrogen, biofuels, HVO)
The event will be hosted on the LCRIG Webinar platform.
To register for the free event, just sign in or register on the LCRIG webinar platform here and add the upcoming session entitled ‘Practical steps on the journey to net zero: Carbon reduction in fleet’.
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