Local authorities can play an influential role in contributing to the delivery of the UK’s national target to become net zero by 2050. Due to the close links into the communities they serve, local knowledge and their role as public bodies delivering a range of services including planning, housing and community development, they are in a unique position to help achieve this goal.

There are 333 local authorities in the UK, around 300 of which have declared a climate emergency acknowledging the need for urgent and rapid climate action. Consequently, councils around the country have published climate action plans and strategies to help reduce their emissions. This includes working with partners and local stakeholders to make a difference within their local communities.

Local authorities essentially have direct and indirect control over a variety of assets, ranging from their own offices, to community facilities such as village halls, transport depots, social housing stock and schools. In some cases, councils will also own and manage real estate investments. While the emissions from assets under direct control are small in comparison to those that are not, in both cases they have control, or can influence, their operation, or where applicable a property’s refurbishment or development.

Actions and initiatives range from optimised utilisation of space, the installation of environmental management systems and energy efficiency measures such as loft insulation, to the installation of renewable energy on site, or the use of green leases. Already, across the country, innovative projects to tackle building emissions are taking place. Examples include Passivhaus developments, residential retrofit schemes and crowd-funded renewable energy schemes.

This has been backed up by a number of government initiatives, including the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and the Low Carbon Skill Fund. The latter in particular has been introduced to address knowledge and capacity gaps to help develop strategies for public body estates. The fact that these are heavily oversubscribed highlights the demand for funding in this area.

Ultimately, where local authorities control planning, they hold powers that can set building regulations, develop design codes, shape infrastructure and help to promote developments in sustainable locations. What’s more, where new development plans are being published climate change mitigation and adaption is becoming an integral part of policy requirements.

Local authorities, therefore, are key facilitators when it comes to transitioning to a low carbon society.

Further information

Contact Stella Weinrich

On Earth Day, what is our understanding of ESG and property's role in tackling the climate crisis?