Most councils pessimistic about net zero because of national approach

A survey for the Local Government Association found action to tackle climate change was being “strangled” by the current arrangements under which councils must bid against each other for an array of Whitehall funding pots. The survey found two thirds (67 per cent) of councils were not confident in hitting their net zero targets, putting the Government’s net zero strategy in doubt as councils warn of challenges in achieving local climate action.

The survey found the potential of local climate action is being “strangled” by a complex web of hard to reach Whitehall funding pots, for instance:

• One in four councils are generally unsuccessful in bidding for net zero funds 
• 60 per cent of councils have been dissuaded from bidding into a government fund because of the time and resources needed to write bids
• 83 per cent are concerned by an excessive bureaucratic burden tied up with national funding pots

Nine in 10 councils do not think there is a sufficient financing plan in place to deliver net zero by 2050.

The survey also found councils have little or no confidence in the approach to achieve net zero homes (85 per cent), net zero transport (80 per cent), and in achieving net zero in a way that is fair and inclusive to everyone (95 per cent).

Cllr Darren Rodwell, environment spokesperson for the LGA said:

“Councils are leading transformative projects across the country, but their innovation is being strangled by the national approach to the transition to net zero.

We must rise to the challenge of climate change. With an impact on over 80 per cent of emissions from their area – from transport and housing to renewable energy, government will not reach net zero without empowering councils to deliver local climate action in every village, town and city.

With the right support, local areas could deliver net zero quicker and for less money, while boosting the local economy and ensuring local people benefit.”

Unfortunately this pessimism will have been fed by the Labour leadership’s retreat on their Green Prosperity Plan.