Devolution is back on the new administration's agenda. Mayors and council leaders are set to play a more pivotal role in delivering services, with integrated settlements allowing local areas to focus on their own key priorities. 

The net zero agenda, at face value, lays more challenge and responsibility at the door of local authorities but without solving their financial and capacity gaps. There are, though, reasons to think that this dynamic can create new opportunities both to attract investment into key net zero projects in communities and rebuild local government capability.