Coalition urges for environment-focused Budget

A new coalition of local government and green groups have stressed that the new Chancellor must grasp this ‘vital opportunity’ to prioritise the environment in his first Budget.

In a joint letter to Rishi Sunak ahead of the Budget on 11 March, the groups welcome the promise to protect the environment outlined in the Queen’s Speech last year and say that councils are uniquely well placed to help the government meet its carbon emissions reduction targets.

The coalition, which includes London Councils, Friends of the Earth, Green Alliance and Greenpeace UK, is calling on the Chancellor ‘to enable local government to take action around the green economy, retrofitting homes and workplaces, the planning system, transport, nature, climate adaptation, and waste and consumption’.

local government can influence around 70 per cent of carbon emissions in England thanks to the sector’s local knowledge, ability to bring together the wider community and delivery of relevant services. Currently, 65 per cent of all UK councils have declared a ‘climate emergency’.

Mike Childs, director of Science, Policy and Research at Friends of the Earth, said: “We can’t stop climate breakdown without the full and active involvement of local government. Yet right now they have both their hands tied behind their back because they have precious little money and are missing critical powers.

“The Chancellor can begin addressing the first of these problems in the Budget on March 11th, and pledge that the government will work with local government, green groups and others to resolve the second this year. Over 240 local authorities have declared a climate emergency which demonstrates that councils want to get on and deliver on this critical agenda”.

Julian Bell, chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: “This is a critical point in the global fight to reduce harmful carbon emissions and protect our environment for future generations. We hope to see recognition of local government’s critical role in climate action in the Budget, along with the support and resources we need to have a real impact in our communities.”