The Ashden cities newsletter shares events, inspiring case studies and more – all helping local authorities delivering inclusive and effective climate action. 

Three free climate webinars, tailored for councils

We’re pleased to highlight three online events coming up in May, each one featuring expert speakers and practical examples of proven innovation and good practice.

Working in partnership for warmer, greener homes 

Wednesday 14 May 2025 09:30am

Reducing home energy use helps tackle fuel poverty and cuts carbon emissions. Councils have a major role to play in delivering home energy efficiency programmes but have limited resources to do so. There is a real opportunity to work more closely with communities to encourage and support residents to upgrade their homes.

This event, delivered by the Energy Learning Network, follows from our introductory first workshop and explores how councils can support wider ‘non-energy focussed’ community groups and parish councils to get more involved in energy advice and demand reduction. We’ll hear from grassroots organisations involved in energy advice training, setting up and running an energy champion initiative, and supporting grant-funded retrofit programmes, who have successfully partnered with broader community groups.

Speakers include:

• Megan Blyth, Project Manager at Centre for Sustainable Energy
• John Christophers, Retrofit Balsall Heath
• Robin de Kretser, Camden Think and Do

Sign up today.

Statutory duties and climate action 

Monday 19 May 2025 3pm

This session will explore how statutory duties can drive local government to act on climate change. Speakers will include the Local Government Association.

The webinar will be taking place in the context of the Local Government Association’s recently launched consultation on this subject. The issue of new duties on local government regarding climate change has been of some interest for some time. It was a recommendation of the Skidmore Review Mission Zero, it has been a focus of the Environmental Targets (public authorities) Bill, a Private Members Bill sponsored by Lord Krebs, and it has the support of networks such as UK100, ADEPT and London Councils.

Chair: Cllr Adam Hug (Chair, LGA Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board and Leader, Westminster City Council)

Speakers:

• Nick Porter (Senior Adviser, LGA)
• Louise Marix-Evans (Director, Quantum Strategy)

Sign up today.

Preparing for extreme heat 

Thursday 22 May 2025 2pm

The 7th workshop of the Ashden Adaptation Network, open to all local authority officers across the UK working on adapting to climate change. This workshop will explore what councils can do to address the impacts of extreme heat.

Speakers include:

• Professor Chris Sansom, University of Derby
• Sulafa Abushal, Greater Manchester Resilience Forum
• Dr Neil Jennings, Grantham Institute
• Dr Jennings is a leading researcher on the health impacts.

Sign up today.

Resilient Roots: new programme grows nature-led adaptation 

Our new Resilient Roots programme will help councils, community groups and non-profit organisations in North-West England deliver nature-based solutions to the impacts of climate change. Resilient Roots will offer workshops, events and insights, all supporting organisations to prepare for and respond to growing challenges like flooding and extreme heat. 

Sharing insights from the programme, we’ve published practical advice on securing funding for nature-led adaptation projects. These tips draw on proven approaches – and cover topics from identifying funders to explaining the impact you’ll create. 

And if you are in North West England and looking to launch or grow a nature-based adaptation scheme, you can now ask for free support from a Resilient Roots mentor. Develop new skills, boost your confidence, and expand your network – helping your organisation create a greater impact. Learn more about mentor support.   

Climate resilience: case studies from the capital 

New research, from our partners London Councils, shows the number of UK homes overheating in summer has quadrupled in the last decade. The need to build resilience to extreme weather is clear. 

See how in a new report from London Councils. It identifies five areas of Climate Resilience Leadership and sets out recommendations on how best to implement them.  

Twelve case studies from London boroughs show how authorities are embedding resilience, embracing collaboration, using data and information and emboldening their leaders at all levels. 

Learn more and download the report.