Two thirds of councils are not confident that they will hit their net zero targets due to the lack of a “sufficient” funding plan and the “bureaucratic system” of bidding for short-term funding pots, a new survey has revealed.
The Local Government Association’s (LGA’s) survey found that nine in ten councils do not think there is a sufficient financing plan in place to deliver net zero by 2050, with three quarters (73%) saying the bureaucracy and uncertainty of government funding is unattractive to private investors.
It also revealed that potential local climate action is being “strangled” by hard to reach Whitehall funding pots, with 67% of councils suggesting that they are not confident in hitting their net zero targets.
Councils are set to play a key role in helping the UK decarbonise and enabling the government to achieve its net zero by 2050 target. Over 300 local authorities have so far declared climate emergency plans.
The LGA’s survey revealed that one in four councils are generally unsuccessful in bidding for net zero funds, whilst 60% have been dissuaded from bidding into a government fund because of the time and resources needed to write bids.
In addition, 83% of local authorities are concerned by the excessive bureaucratic burden tied up with national funding pots.
Darren Rodwell, the LGA’s environment spokesperson, said: “We must rise to the challenge of climate change. With an impact on over 80% 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.”
The survey also found councils have little or no confidence in the approach to achieve net zero homes (85%), net zero transport (80%) and in achieving net zero in a way that is fair and inclusive to everyone (95%).
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