There is a clear argument to be made for a green recovery from coronavirus that local authorities can utilise to enhance the case for climate action. Coronavirus has shown the need for resilient and healthy communities, both of which are at further risk with increasing impacts of climate change and both of which can be enhanced with effective climate action. There are a variety of health, economic, resilience, equity and social co-benefits to climate action, which can be felt at the local level and are key to recovering from coronavirus and protecting and developing our communities and economies.
There are many alternative facts, stories and opinions available and everything depends upon perception but there is agreement that emissions have reduced and air quality has improved. Equally, economic output has fallen dramatically.
To meet climate targets we need investment at scale and solar is an opportunity councils cannot afford to ignore.
Climate change and other environmental threats remain critical at the moment. Local authorities are used to juggling numerous priorities and those who manage them best have a tried and trusted approach to doing so.