Local authorities’ net-zero funding needs to be “longer-term” and “simpler”, which would enable councils to tackle climate change more effectively, a review has found.
Mission Zero by former energy minister Chris Skidmore outlined that the government’s current approach towards net-zero delivery is “creating inefficiencies at a local level”. He highlighted that councils are better placed to engage with communities and businesses on net zero.
“However, they currently face a lack of clarity over their role, a disjointed and short-term approach to funding, and require further support to build the capacity and capability needed locally to deliver a successful transition,” Skidmore wrote in his report.
Hence, he recommended “a longer-term, simpler funding landscape” for local authorities to allow them to form a more coherent plan of action from which they could develop supply chains, build local skills and coordinate action to benefit from economies of scale and attract private finance.
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David Renard, the Local Government Association’s environment spokesperson, said: “Councils understand the urgent need to tackle climate change and are intrinsic to transitioning our places and empowering our communities and businesses to a net-zero future.
“Only councils can mobilise and join-up climate action in our towns, cities and rural areas. The review’s focus on policy and funding stability over the long term is important for councils, and so is giving them the flexibility to respond to the different opportunities and challenges in places.”
In his review, Skidmore also recommended that the government should fully back at least one Trailblazer Net Zero City, local authority and community, with the aim that these places reach net zero by 2030.
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