climate emergency
How Irish innovation is helping the green recovery
Smart traffic solutions are helping councils meet a range of sustainability objectives, says Enterprise Ireland's UK Local Authority Lead Laura Brocklebank.
Green revolution or missed opportunity?
Local government insiders tell Heather Jameson that the Government’s 10-point action plan for tackling climate change isn’t ambitious enough either in terms of the scale of the vision or about what role councils should play.
A blueprint for change
The time to act on climate change is now, says Mathew Jellings, and it could start with a debate on the UN sustainable development goals
Five steps to delivering local green retrofit skills
A zero carbon Britain by 2050 depends on creating new green jobs across the construction sector. Councils need to take action now to make sure communities have the skills required, says Cara Jenkinson.
HOUSING: The power of perseverance and partnerships in placemaking
Jake Fellows says a partnership approach such as the one between ENGIE UK and Rotherham MBC can often prove to be key when faced with the task of unlocking and transforming a complex site.
The future of green investment starts now
David Bentley takes a look at the Government’s green finance strategy and throws the spotlight on examples of local authorities engaging in ‘green growth’, while highlighting issues to consider moving forward.
The power of local knowledge
A report show the impressive record of collaboration between Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds and untapped potential for research partnerships, says Neil Evans.
We mustn’t lose sight of the next crisis
Despite warnings about the likelihood of a global pandemic, nations failed to prepare, says Cllr Krupa Sheth. We must not lose sight of the climate emergency crisis, she adds.
You’ve got to know where you’re starting from on the path to net zero
Local authorities, as custodians of place, are in a unique position to lead the way on defining their carbon footprint and addressing their own carbon targets, says ENGIE's Haydn Scarborough.
Digging deep for change
The pandemic has not resulted in the big changes required to protect health and drive widespread transformation, says Neil McInroy.
Local solutions are key to global action
ENGIE is seeking out and supporting council clients – particularly those who have a clear climate change commitment, assertive leadership and adequate resources to deliver their climate emergency action plans, says Colin Macpherson.
How linking energy with data can unlock community benefits
Moving to a low carbon world, the required level of data granularity and quality will be critical. But with that will come considerable benefits for councils and the communities they serve, says Stephen Stead.
Borrowing to benefit the environment
West Berkshire Council has launched the UK’s first Community Municipal Investment, enabling access to cheaper borrowing rates for environmentally focused projects. Joseph Holmes explains.
How to drive a green recovery
Ahmed Goga explains the levers that local and central government policymakers can deploy to drive a green recovery through local enterprise.
Housing MJ: Time to retrofit our approach to net zero carbon
If the UK can take the lead on moving beyond carbon by significant retrofit of its existing housing stock, then other large economies will follow suit to help save our planet, says Andy Merrin of Engie.
Has the pandemic depreciated climate change?
As we head for the second wave of the pandemic, Dr Andrew Larner says we must not take our eye of the ball on climate change
The chancellor’s measures are ‘putting bread on the table’
In a pre-COVID era, a million people passed through Westminster’s streets every day, says council leader Rachael Robathan. She hopes those who return feel they can do so with confidence.
Making ‘green’ core to every policy and activity
Davy Jones and John Tizard present a plan for nurturing greener accessible places in ways that are equitable, tackle inequality, secure decent jobs and address sustainability.
Building back greener growth needs a joint effort
It seems that even the business lobby is now on board with devolution, says Heather Jameson - and now 'we will need national, local and regional government working with the private sector to tackle the climate change and the economic crises ahead'.
The future must be climate resilient
Simon Brammer and Simeran Bachra present some insights from a recent webinar with councils discussing how the pandemic is impacting action on climate change.
