Nearly 60 councils pledge to beef up net zero plans

The UK100 group of local authorities and councils has this week announced that nearly 60 cross-party local leaders, representing 35 per cent of the UK population, have now committed to delivering net zero emissions at least five years earlier than the UK-wide goal of 2050.

The group said that 57 councils had now signed up its Net Zero Pledge, which explicitly commits them to neutralising council emissions by 2030 and those of their residents and businesses by 2045.

The latest signatories to the initiative include the council leaders from Warwick District Council, the London Borough of Lambeth, St Albans City and District Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, and Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

Together the 57 local authorities represent more than 23.5 million Brits, with the English cohort representing 28 per cent of England's land area, UK100 said.

The latest pledges come as former Southampton City Council Leader Christopher Hammond joins UK100 in a newly created role to manage its growing membership.

"The fundamental challenge of our time is getting to net zero carbon emissions and averting climate breakdown," he said. "It's a task that will need bold leadership, legislative clarity, shifts in culture and behaviours, willingness to make mistakes and an enthusiastic adoption of new technologies. I know from my time leading a city council that local government is uniquely placed to face and overcome these challenges. Not only do they provide services, but they have a unique sphere of influence. Fantastic things are already happening in county, city, town and village halls across the county."

The latest pledges were welcomed by Polly Billington, Director of UK100, who said "these ambitious local leaders have pledged to do everything within their power to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible in a way that benefits their communities with new jobs and skills". 

"From Edinburgh to Cornwall local leadership, alongside funding and powers, is key to winning the race to net zero," she added.

The news comes in the same week as the government announced a £2m funding boost to help local authorities clamp down on landlords that let out how homes that breach minimum energy efficiency standards.

Local authorities in England and Wales are being invited to bid for up to £100,000 of government cash to support efforts to ensure private landlords are renting out properties that meet minimum energy efficiency standards.  

Landlords caught failing to fulfil new obligations which were introduced in April could then face fines of up to £5,000 per property and per breach. Under the current rules privately rented homes in England and Wales are required to have a minimum energy performance rating of EPC Band E, unless a valid exemption has been registered.  

"Heating our homes makes up almost a third of all carbon emissions. This must be reduced so we can tackle climate change and drive forward Britain's green industrial revolution," said Climate Change Minister Lord Callanan. "Our £2m fund will help in the fight against climate change and support councils to properly enforce these standards to upgrade homes, protect vulnerable households and ensure renters enjoy cheaper energy bills."