Local authorities are under increasing pressure to deliver the net zero targets set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 which requires the UK by 2050 to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from the levels recorded in 1990 by 100% (this was increased from 80% in 2019) which is the net zero target.    

Net zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Not all emissions can be reduced to zero, so those that remain need to be matched by actively removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, methods include planting trees and restoring peatlands.

In this insight we summarise they key findings of the recent survey undertaken by the Local Government Association (LGA) regarding the restraints placed on local authorities in applying for bid funding for projects to support climate change and the effect this has on local authorities.

Role of local government

In its October 2021 Net Zero Strategy, the government said that “devolved and local government play an essential role in meeting national net zero ambitions” because it “is best placed to integrate activity on the ground” and to inspire “action by, local businesses, communities, and civil society”.

Local authorities can play an important role in delivering net zero in a number of policy areas, these include:

• implementing and enforcing minimum energy efficiency standards for new builds
• delivering funding to retrofit existing homes and improve their energy efficiency
• shaping housing, infrastructure and renewable energy development in their area in their role as local planning authorities
• developing and delivering heat network connections
• encouraging active travel, decarbonising public transport and installing public charge points for electric vehicles.

Though local authorities are committed to achieving Net Zero Targets, they are not obligated to do so by law nor are there any net zero statutory targets for local authorities. However, many have adopted commitments to reduce carbon emissions in line with the 2050 net zero target.

Prior to the LGA Survey, the National Audit Office, the LUHC Select Committee, and the Independent Review of Net Zero (the ‘Skidmore review’), all highlighted a number of barriers to local authorities delivering net zero, these include:

• lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities that local authorities should play in the delivery of net zero because there are no strategic targets
• fragmented funding and the prevalence of competitive bidding, for example for retrofitting schemes, which can make it “difficult for local authorities to plan for the long term”
• lack of consistency in local authorities’ reporting of plans and progress on net zero, which can make “difficult to get an overall picture of what local authorities have achieved”
• lack of skills and capacity in local government to tackle climate change.

Key findings from the LGA Survey

Conscious of the forthcoming election, the LGA wanted to take a snapshot on the present strategy and support for net zero and has recently issued its research report following its online survey to local government officers at 317 local authorities in England.

The survey was undertaken in two batches, the first in October/November 2023 and then the second in January/February 2024 and they had a response rate of 27%.

The key findings from the survey were that:

• 72% of respondents stated their local authority had a net zero target for the authority itself
• 97% of the local authorities who responded had an official target for reaching net zero for either or both the local authority itself and for the area as a whole
• 67% of the local authorities did not believe they will reach their net zero targets
• 61% of the local authorities agree that they have been dissuaded, at least once, from submitting funding bids due to the investment needed to develop proposals
• 90% disagreed that the funding schemes currently available for local government to help achieve net zero allowed their council to sufficiently fund their net zero strategy locally
• 76% of respondents strongly or tend to have agreed that their local authority is concerned by the impact of inflation on the deliverability of projects within the restrictions set by a national scheme
• 43% of local authorities have, at least once, had to return funding to government due to being unable to deliver projects within the restrictions set by a national scheme.

These findings show that whilst local authorities are committed to supporting net zero targets, the route to delivery will be extremely tough because of the funding landscape and fragmentation of approach. There is no one size fits all strategy to enable the target to be achieved.

How Capsticks can help 

 We have extensive knowledge of the funding available and are happy to support local authorities navigating the complex process of applying for funding and grants whilst maintaining a pragmatic approach as we are conscious of the timelines associated with various funding sources and achieving the relevant criteria.

Please speak to Tiffany Cloynes or Rebecca Gilbert to find out more about how Capsticks can help.