Research and information - environment

Councils are taking the lead on environmental issues such as waste policy, local environment quality, sustainable development, biodiversity, energy, climate change and flooding. In light of the Government's Energy White Paper, local government is faced with even more challenges and it is even more important that local authorities take the lead as they are best placed to bring stakeholders together.

The Local Government Association (LGA) and central bodies are working closely with a range of agencies to explore the challenges ahead and to ensure that local authorities receive the support they need. View this section for the latest publications in this area.

Environmental crime enforcement survey 2010

The survey was conducted in order to find out more about councils' views on the barriers to enforcement, and how those barriers might be overcome, and, by so doing, help Local Government Regulation (LGR) improve its support to councils in tackling environmental crime.

Public health funerals 2011

This report outlines the findings of an online survey which looked at the number and cost of public health funerals conducted by local authorities in the last three financial years.

Public health funerals survey 2010

This research report, based on a survey of local authorities in May 2010, looks in detail at public health funerals conducted by local authorities in the last year, to provide a picture of how many funerals councils are conducting and how costly these are.

Conducted on behalf of the Local Government Group this report summarises local authority activity relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation and the resources and support required to continue their work in this area.

Climate change survey of local authorities

Conducted on behalf of the Local Government Association this report summarises local authority activity relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation and the resources and support required to continue their work in this area.

Flood risk management survey 2010

The survey establishes a baseline of local authority expenditure on flood risk management, and an ongoing picture of costs over a three-year period as the new Flood and Water Management Act and Flood Risk Regulations are implemented.

Are there votes to be had in climate change?

As part of the Small Change, Big Difference campaign, the LGA commissioned detailed opinion polling of different groups' attitude towards climate change and what the role of local government should be in tackling the problem. This leaflet summarises those findings.

Last updated: 14 May 2012