Recommendation 21

Local authorities have a key role to play in achieving net zero. They have significant scope to influence emissions in their area, for example, by leading decarbonisation of sectors such as housing and transport. These represent a substantial proportion of UK emissions, and where the emissions reduction challenge will vary by location. Local authorities can also influence local businesses and residents to take climate action themselves. The NAO found that government’s co-ordination arrangements for net zero only extended to central government departments.37 We received written evidence from the Local Government Association (LGA), which told us that the Government needed to outline national and local government responsibilities and commit to working with local government bodies to deliver net zero. It also told us that there needed to be an engagement process between central and local government to support councils to develop local net zero delivery plans and invest in green solutions.38 The Department agreed that local authorities were very important partners in delivering decarbonisation schemes such as the green homes grant and the local authority delivery scheme. It also recognised that local authorities had a lot of the planning capabilities and statutory duties which would be very important for example, when thinking about investment in heat networks. It accepted that it would be increasingly important to engage with local authorities.39