
Creating new jobs and warm, energy-efficient homes
The UK can slash carbon emissions (and address fuel poverty) by making millions of homes warm and energy efficient. But the country faces a major shortage of skilled workers.
One potential solution is innovative works and training organisations. These offer trainees full-time employment, and prioritise on-the-job learning. Local authorities can play an important role, following examples such as Glasgow City Council – the co-owner of Glasgow City Homes, which has a large training academy with 245 directly employed apprentices.
The potential value of these organisations includes boosting local economies and tackling unemployment, as well as delivering better homes, with a focus on inclusivity. Our new report examines their impact, and asks how they can deliver maximum social value and carbon savings. It also explores how they can be financed effectively, and created and run in partnership.
Climate adaptation insights
Extreme weather shows need for climate adaptation – get help and resources
As many parts of the UK are battered by storms, the reality of climate change is clearer than ever. The risk to public safety and local economies is huge: it’s clear that supporting communities to adapt to extreme weather is a major challenge for any local authority.
The Met Office launched its Local Authority Climate Service in October 2024 – presenting climate data in a way that is clearer and more usable for councils. It offers ready-to-use, free climate information for every local area, simple summary reports of key results, and how-to guides for using the data in adaptation planning.
The service and its material can be used to find solid evidence for better decision-making, as a public engagement and communication tool, and as a training tool for staff. The service has been designed for use alongside the Local Partnership’s Climate Adaptation Toolkit. Watch here.
Work with partners – using a place-based approach
Sustainability West Midlands recommend a place-based approach – thinking about the overall adaptation needs of places and the people that live there, not the work of individual council departments. Quantitative and qualitative data can help build this picture, and it’s vital to engage stakeholders throughout your process.
A place-based approach will steer you to work closely with important partners – such as the NHS and water companies. Find out more.
Urban or rural, find inspiration from other local authorities.
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils’ new adaptation framework will launch in 2025. It’s been designed to provide a consistent approach to adaptation and resilience across the councils, to help set long-term priorities, and to inform local stakeholders of climate risks and how the authorities will help address them.
It builds on a climate risk and vulnerability assessment created with officers from public health, housing, infrastructure, business and public services departments. A new adaptation and resilience board will make sure the framework is being used by all relevant council teams. Its elements include a local climate risk map. Watch here.
Richmond and Wandsworth are innovating in the UK’s biggest city – but how can you respond to challenges faced by countryside communities? Herefordshire Council, which covers an area that is 95% rural, is now implementing an adaptation strategy developed with a range of stakeholders, including the National Farmers Union. See their lessons learned here.
Free events: planning reform, flooding, community energy
We’re pleased to highlight three online events coming up in February and March, each one featuring expert speakers and practical examples of proven innovation and good practice.
These events are free to join, and designed to help local authorities deliver impact – whatever their resources or levels of experience. Discover ideas and inspiration, put your questions to our speakers, and highlight projects underway in your area.
Thursday 13 February, 11am to 12pm:
How can net zero and climate adaptation goals be met through planning reform? Speakers at this Blueprint Coalition event will include senior leaders and managers from Cornwall Council, Leeds City Council, and the Town and Country Planning Association. Topics covered will include updates to the National Planning Policy Framework, and the forthcoming Future Homes Standard. Find out more.
Thursday 27 February, 2 to 4pm:
Ashden Adaptation Network. The next meeting of our adaptation network will cover Sustainable Urban Drainage Schemes (SUDS): an effective nature-based solution that lowers the impact of flooding. Speakers – from charity Trees for Cities, Severn Trent Water and Brighton & Hove City Council – will share insights from delivering projects around the UK. Find out more and book your place.
Tuesday 18 March, 9.30 to 11am:
Energy Learning Network. Our new workshop series will help councils work with community energy groups to cut home energy use. The first session is set to feature speakers from Ashden, CAG Consultants, Exeter Community Energy, and other organisations. Registration is open now.