Across the UK, local government is stepping up to tackle the climate emergency. Councils are facing growing challenges across the country and need practical ways to make real change.
The Local Government Association (LGA), in partnership with and funded by Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly Crown Commercial Service), supports councils to take meaningful action through the Sustainability Improvement Programme (SIP).
Through Sustainability Masterclasses and Action Learning Sets (ALS), the LGA and GCA are empowering local authorities to:
- embed sustainability into decision-making
- respond faster to climate risks
- provide real, actionable benefits for communities across England.
What has the Sustainability Improvement Programme achieved so far?
Local government is at the forefront of the national response to climate change. Councils manage complex challenges that require new skills, confidence, and partnerships, such as flood risks and decarbonising transport.
Through the SIP, the LGA has introduced 2 flagship initiatives to address these needs:
Sustainability Masterclasses
High-impact sessions that help councillors and officers strengthen leadership, improve governance, and develop practical pledges for climate action.
Adaptation Action Learning Sets
A collaborative learning model where councils share challenges, explore solutions, and commit to actions that improve resilience.
Together, these programmes help councils turn strategy into action and embed sustainability into everything from procurement to planning.
Since 2024:
- 308 officers and councillors have taken part in Sustainability Masterclasses
- 62 participants have taken part in Action Learning Sets.
Adaptation Action Learning Sets: building resilience through collaboration
The winter 2025 ALS series brought together 12 councils to tackle pressing adaptation priorities.
Among the topics discussed were:
- flood risk management
- resource constraints
- how to embed climate resilience into governance structures.
Each session followed a structured Action Learning Set format, where participants brought their own live challenges for collective problem-solving.
This approach ensures discussions reflect the real issues councils face and helps participants identify real, practical actions they can take in their own communities.
Councils reported 100 per cent satisfaction, highlighting the value of peer support and practical problem-solving.
It really felt like we were tackling the issues together and going through a journey. The peer support was invaluable.” said one participant.
Notable achievements included:
- quicker progress on adaptation actions, helping to reduce future financial risk and safeguarding local economies
- improved governance and risk management, with authorities strengthening procurement oversight for renewable projects
- creation of sustainable learning pathways, enabling long-term climate literacy and resilience planning
- enhanced cross-council collaboration, helping to share knowledge and innovation
Councils left the programme with clear actions and greater confidence. Examples of positive changes included a London Borough embedding adaptation across borough services to a council in the East Midlands piloting catchment-based planning for flood resilience.
Sustainability Masterclasses: turning learning into pledges
The Sustainability Masterclasses focus on leadership and practical action. Participants leave each masterclass with pledges that turn learning into measurable change across their services and local communities.
Masterclasses are made up of:
- expert input
- guided discussion
- practical exercises.
Participants finish each session by developing a pledge based on their local area’s needs, leaving them with practical commitments and outcomes.
Recent pledges undertaken by participating authorities and officers include:
- running community engagement sessions on sustainable diets and food waste, while expanding existing food-growing programmes to support behaviour change and reduce emissions
- implementing a carbon and co-benefits decision-making tool within their council to ensure the climate impact of decisions is consistently assessed
- increasing low-carbon commuting through cycling and public transport, reducing personal emissions and modelling behaviour change for colleagues
- a participant working in coastal management pledged to embed sustainable procurement principles into multi-authority frameworks, encouraging suppliers to adopt and deliver low-carbon, nature-based solutions.
These pledges show how councils are embedding sustainability into everyday services, from transport and procurement to community engagement, creating systemic change that benefits people and planet.
A ripple effect across local government
The positive influence of these programmes extends beyond individual pledges. Through this initiative, councils are benefiting from:
- greater confidence to lead climate action, even in resource-constrained environments
- improved governance and decision-making, with sustainability integrated into corporate planning and procurement
- stronger collaboration within councils and across regions, accelerating innovation and knowledge sharing.
This training inspired me to lead change in our policies and procurement. It’s about leaving a positive legacy for future generations.” said one participant.
Value beyond cost savings
The programmes can help councils reduce long-term risks and avoid future costs linked to climate change. However, their greatest value is in building capability.
Participants gain the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions that provide economic, social, and environmental benefits.
These influential outcomes include reduced emissions, improving air quality, enhancing biodiversity and increased community resilience. Councils are not only meeting climate targets, but they are also creating healthier, fairer, and more sustainable places to live.
Supporting local government to act on climate change
These programmes show what can be achieved when councils come together, share knowledge, and commit to real action in the face of climate urgency.
From pledges that decarbonise fleets and embed sustainability into procurement, to collaborative learning that accelerates adaptation planning, the SIP is helping local government lead the way to a greener, more resilient future.
Since 2024, more than 370 participants have taken part in Sustainability Masterclasses and Action Learning Sets. The programme continues to build long-term capability and confidence across local government.
The programme is helping councils create real, tangible change and turn climate ambition into action.
Find out more
GCA has renewed its investment in the programme for another year, taking the total investment since its inception to £1.3m over 3.5 years.
This investment will allow local government to continue benefiting from the combined expertise of GCA and the LGA as the fight against climate change continues.
To find out how to get involved in the programme and find dates for upcoming Masterclasses, visit the LGA website.
Empowering councils: How GCA sustainability funding supports peer learning in local government
Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly Crown Commercial Service) is strengthening sustainability efforts in local government by funding peer-to-peer support networks through the Local Government Association (LGA).
As part of the LGA’s Sustainability Improvement Programme (SIP), councils and strategic authorities have access to a trusted network of colleagues who understand the challenges they face, share practical insights, and accelerate progress toward climate and environmental goals.
The value of peer support
Peer-to-peer support has become one of the most powerful enablers of progress across the sustainability network. GCA funding has helped expand and strengthen this offer.
The Sustainability Action Network (SAN) provides a trusted space where local authorities can learn from one another through regular:
- meetings
- knowledge exchanges
- workshops.
Many participants emphasise the value of connecting with peers facing similar challenges.
Linking with other councils to learn from their projects… I really value the connections this network provides.” said one participant.
Hearing directly from other local authorities has been a particularly valuable learning experience. Participants are able to draw on the experience of colleagues across the sector to help address challenges in their own organisations.
Presentations of case studies have been useful because they are inspiring and they allow me to pick and choose actions that could be implemented in my own local authority.” said one officer.
Participants consistently reflect on the value of these sessions because they provide:
- practical insights shared from across local government
- opportunities to build relationships and continue knowledge sharing beyond the network
- examples that inform benchmarks and show what “good” looks like in practice.
Learning directly from other councils
Councils have been learning from each other through a range of peer-to-peer activities, including:
- case studies
- project walkthroughs
- themed discussions.
These different methods show participants what innovation looks like in practice.
Participants regularly highlight the benefits of learning directly from peers who are carrying out climate and ecological projects in real-world conditions.
A great network to be part of and work together at solving problems to deliver action within and from councils on the climate & ecological emergency.” said one attendee describing the network.
“Presentations of case studies have been useful because they are inspiring and they allow me to pick and choose actions that could be implemented in my own LA.” said another participant.
The network gives officers the opportunity to compare challenges, test ideas, and gain practical inspiration rooted in live experience rather than theoretical discussions.
Creating a trusted space for collaboration
Councils report that the SAN has created a unique environment where they can:
- share successes and failures honestly
- seek advice without judgement
- understand sector-wide trends
- crowdsource solutions to common problems
- discover who is working on similar challenges.
For many participants, this is the first time they have had access to a national network of peers working in sustainability roles.
Enabling progress across the sector
GCA funding to support this network has helped councils benefit from:
- regular opportunities to connect
- more structured knowledge-sharing
- increased access to examples of real-world practice
- stronger collective problem solving.
Officers repeatedly describe the SAN as not just useful, but essential — with peer support at the heart of its value.
This is an essential service for local authorities… desperately need this form of support to continue going forward.” said one member.
Members have reported that peer support has gone beyond a “nice to have”—it is now an essential part of sustaining local climate leadership.
A good news story for local government
To date, the Sustainability Action Network (SAN) has engaged with 160 councils and achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 99 per cent across meetings, knowledge exchanges and workshops.
GCA funding has been renewed for a further year, allowing the LGA to continue building a strong sustainability community. One that empowers councils to learn from each other, share what works, and move further, faster, together.
To find out more about the peer-to-peer support available, or to register interest in joining the Sustainability Action Network, visit the LGA website.