Recent developments in the climate change agenda and what these mean for the role of local authorities

The last couple of weeks have seen some major developments in the climate change agenda.

Last week’s APSE Energy view focused on the new Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Report, Net Zero – The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming. This report set out plans for the UK to stop its contribution to global warming by 2050.

On Monday (06/05/19) the most comprehensive and detailed review of the state of nature has been published in Paris. This review has been conducted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and shows that nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history but also that it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global.

As increasing numbers of local authorities are declaring Climate Emergencies, the UK Parliament has also approved a motion to declare an environment and climate emergency. This proposal, which demonstrates the will of the Commons on the issue but does not legally compel the government to act, was approved without a vote.

These major developments show that the climate change agenda is gathering pace and that there is a necessity for everyone to contribute. There is a clear role for local authorities to do what they can. Some have taken on this role by declaring a Climate Emergency and setting a carbon neutrality target. Others have accelerated their renewable energy plans and projects.  

APSE Energy was established to help inform and support local authorities in exactly this kind of situation. We can call on the experience and expertise from the 80 councils who are members of APSE Energy, our staff, associates, partners and from the wider local government family. This can come in the form of advisory groups and other meetings and events we hold, briefing notes on technologies and policy matters, research publications or consultancy work. Whatever the nature of the support, our approach means we look to pass on our knowledge, take a whole council view and promote the local authority’s work in this sector.

Risk and approaches to it can be a major stumbling block. Local authorities have targets to meet and one of the ways they will meet them is through innovative use of assets, investing in new technology and promoting changing attitudes including attitudes towards risk. Those local authorities who are leading this agenda are doing so having measured the risk and shown it can be managed. We all need to re-assess what steps we are willing to take – or more importantly those we aren’t willing to take and why?

To discuss further please contact Phil Brennan, Head of APSE Energy, at [email protected] or Charlotte Banks, Energy Research and Project Officer, at [email protected] or on 0161 772 1810.