Councils sign up to cut energy costs and protect homes, schools, parks and roads
LGA media release 28 June 2012
Public money spent on energy could be reduced as part of a scheme launched today to cut emissions and better protect homes, schools, parks and roads from the effects of climate change.
The Local Government Association (LGA) is launching a new drive which will see councils committing to their own local actions to reduce carbon emissions and improve their ability to protect people and services from the anticipated changes in the weather.
As part of the new scheme, local authorities will be sharing ideas and advice on the best ways to save money on their gas and electricity use and ensure there are preparations in place for keeping to a minimum disruption caused by extreme weather like snow, floods and heat waves.
The Climate Local Commitment has the support of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) , Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Environment Agency.
It will build on the success of the Nottingham Declaration and aims to provide a more flexible way for councils to share ideas, actions and achievements which reflect local priorities, risks and opportunities.
So far 18 councils have signalled their intent to sign up to Climate Local, with many more expected over the coming months.
Declarations determined by local councils are likely to include commitments to generate money from renewable energy and create new jobs and investment in green industries in their area, tackle fuel poverty, protect the local environment and improve public transport to encourage more people to seek an alterative to travelling by car.
LGA Chairman Sir Merrick Cockell said:
"Councils are already protecting people from the disruption caused by the changing climate and taking opportunities to reduce tax payer bills through energy efficiency measures. We know firsthand the local risks and priorities, whether those are about energy security and green jobs, improving the energy efficiency and resilience of local homes and businesses or planning extra care for vulnerable people during extreme weather events.
"Local authorities have built up a wealth of experience and expertise at combating the challenges brought by a changing climate – and these differ throughout the country. This is why it is key that local authorities are given maximum flexibility to develop their own ideas and strategies. Centrally-imposed targets often miss the point and, at a time when councils have had their budgets cut by 28 per cent, risk being unaffordable.
"The aim of Climate Local will be to drive and champion council-led action on climate change in a way which will ensure local authorities can get the best results and value for money with the resources they have available."
Secretary of State for the Environment Caroline Spelman MP said:
"I strongly support the new Climate Local initiative, which will provide local councils with an opportunity to highlight the great work they have been doing and their future plans to tackle the effects of climate change.
"The UK's first Climate Change Risk Assessment, which my Department published in January, sets out the scale of the challenges we face from heatwaves, increased flooding and pressure on water resources. It is vital that local authorities, through Climate Local, are well prepared for the future."
Liz Parkes, the Environment Agency's Head of Climate Change, said:
"The climate is changing and the UK is in danger of suffering more extreme weather events. Councils have a big role to play in helping communities prepare to face this uncertain future and the Climate Local initiative will help them take action.
"The Environment Agency has a long tradition of working closely with local authorities and we'll continue to do so through our new Climate Ready support service, set up with Government to help organisations prepare for a changing climate."
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Notes to editors
Councils that have signalled their intent to sign up to Climate Local
The LGA is already in discussions with councils and partners about the Climate Local initiative. We will work with this group of councils over the next few months to set a suite of local commitments and to share learning with other councils.
Nottingham City Council
Kent County Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Leicestershire County Council
Hampshire County Council
Greater Manchester
London Borough of Camden
Lincolnshire County Council
Kirklees Borough Council
Gloucestershire County Council
London Borough of Sutton
Bedford Borough Council
West Sussex County Council
Cambridge City Council
Bath and North East Somerset
London Borough of Waltham Forest
London Borough of Islington
Birmingham City Council
Case studies
Some examples of early thinking from councils which have signalled their intent to sign-up to Climate Local:
Climate Local Nottingham will build on the city's strong record on climate change as founders of the former Nottingham Declaration and leaders on energy self-sufficiency and low-carbon living. Under Climate Local, Nottingham will share their experience, learning and projects with other councils but also further develop their own ambitions with local partners, including businesses, third sector, universities and community groups.
It is likely to make commitments in the followings areas (to be agreed with local partners):
- Further development of council and city wide energy projects (for example, district heating, the installation of PV panels, energy mapping and area-wide insulation schemes)
- Building business cases and attracting further investment to Nottingham to support low-carbon growth and green jobs
- Mainstreaming climate change considerations into core functions, processes and decision making
- Review existing adaptation plan and update risk assessments
- Increasing local resilience to the changing climate through awareness raising, training and embedding risk into decision making.
Climate Local Kent will reinforce existing strong partnership working across the county and dstrict authorities, other public sector bodies, businesses and the voluntary/not for profit sector. It will focus on shared priorities including building a thriving low-carbon sector, greater energy efficiency in public buildings and homes, and increased resilience to the changing climate, including water shortages and flood risk.
It is likely to make commitments in the followings areas (to be agreed with local partners):
- tackling carbon emissions and energy reduction with sub-targets for the domestic and public sector, renewable energy and sustainable transport
- A multi-agency ‘Green Deal Partnership' for Kent
- Supporting the development of ‘Low Carbon Kent' driving low-carbon economic growth, including targets for employment
- Delivery of Kent's Adaptation Action Plan and development of Community Resilience Plans for most at-risk communities
- Setting targets for reducing water usage and increasing resilience to flooding
- Continued roll-out of SWIMS – Kent's Severe Weather Impacts Monitoring System.
Climate Local Eastleigh will demonstrate the council's commitment to tackling climate change and support local partnership work. As a district council, Eastleigh is exploring areas for collaboration with neighbouring authorities and Hampshire County Council in particularly to build resilience to the changing climate on issues such as water scarcity and flood risk.
It is likely to include commitments in the followings areas:
- Reducing the consumption of energy by businesses and homes
- Increasing the generation of green, secure electricity through district-wide and micro-generation schemes
- Developing public transport, cycling and walking as viable alternatives to private car journeys
- Reducing emissions from council vehicles through more efficient use and alternative forms of fuel
- Reducing local waste generation and increasing the rate of recycling
- Working collaboratively with public bodies, businesses and residents to achieve reductions in water use across the Borough
- Supporting residents and businesses to use these resources more efficiently and sustainably.
- Increasing awareness amongst council staff, residents and the wider community on effects of climate change.
Full details of the Climate Local Commitment
Climate Local
Author: LGA Media Office
Contact: Simon Ward, Local Government Association Media Office, Telephone 020 7664 3333
28 June 2012
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