Programmes
Climate Action Co-Benefits Toolkit
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More guidance and resources
There is very little guidance available to authorities. The Local Government Association (LGA) used to offer briefings for elected members and resources for officers, outlining how to cut carbon and the business case for taking action. But this support came to an end in 2015 and no new resources have been produced since. And climate change didn’t feature at all on the LGA’s 2019 conference agenda.
Our new, free, Climate Co-benefits Toolkit for local authorities and city regions is helping fill the gap. It demonstrates how action on climate change can deliver many local benefits including better health, greater equality, economic opportunities and increased resilience. A platform for sharing best practice was one request from network members – the toolkit is packed with tools, inspiration and case studies.
But members also wanted recognition from central government and the LGA of the vital role that local government must play in delivering net zero. This could be demonstrated through guidance and resourcing that enabled councils to deliver against their ambitions.
Make climate action a statutory duty for local government
There is currently no requirement for local government to take action on climate change and, whilst many councils are currently prioritising this issue, others are limiting activity only to their legal duties, often because of financial constraints. Forcing councils to act, and to consider the climate impact of their decisions, would ensure the issue remained a priority regardless of changes in political leadership or other circumstances.