Recommendation 6

The Department has not sufficiently engaged with local authorities on their role in the achievement of net zero across the UK. Local authorities have significant scope to influence emissions in their area, both by leading decarbonisation of sectors (such as housing and transport) and by influencing local businesses and residents to take climate action themselves. However, local government representatives report a lack of clarity from central government on the role local authorities should play in achieving net zero, what will be expected of them or how they will be supported. The Local Government Association’s Climate Change Survey 2020 found that nine out of 10 councils have declared a climate emergency and 80% have set a carbon neutral target. But local authorities face a wide range of barriers to tackling climate change. Ninety-six per cent of local authorities report that funding is a barrier to them tackling climate change, and 93% that legislation or regulation is a barrier. Lack of workforce capacity or a lack of skills is also a cause for concern, with 88% and 78% of local authorities in the survey respectively reporting this as a barrier to tackling climate change. Recommendation: Government should respond with a coherent National Fiscal and Policy Framework. This should set out Government’s national responsibilities. Local Authorities local and regional responsibilities and be clear how government proposes to work with local authorities to secure the funding, skills, resources and outcomes required to deliver Net Zero. 8 Achieving Net Zero 1 Net zero plans and progress