Councils thanked for efforts in tackling climate change

Eddie Hughes has recognised the vital work of councils to mobilise their efforts to combat climate change and meet our ambitious net zero targets.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary for MHCLG was speaking at London Climate Action Week, detailing how councils’ expert knowledge of their communities allow them to help deliver net zero across energy, housing and transport in ways most suited to people in their area.

Most councils are already taking some form of action to achieve the wider benefits from decarbonisation, such as reducing inequality, community integration and a green economic recovery. Hughes cited innovative work across the country - including in the capital, where the London Plan includes measures to ensure the environmental ambition of major developments is included at the start of the design process.

Plymouth meanwhile has installed solar panels on council buildings, saving up to £1.4 million on its energy bills. It is also providing grants to help 500 fuel-poor families make their homes more energy efficient.

Leeds has introduced co-buying schemes for home upgrades, to reduce the cost for families of making their homes more energy efficient. And Hampshire has invested in digital tools to ensure it factors carbon impacts and climate risk into all its decisions.

Hughes said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has raised many fundamental questions about the way we live our lives. As we have all worked from home, we have spent more time in our local neighbourhoods and built ties with the people who live around us. Building back better from this pandemic means not only ensuring that new development is greener and better for the environment, but that it supports healthy, happy and flourishing communities.”