North West local authorities showing the way forward on climate – here’s how others can do the same (Friends of the Earth)

• Warrington, Manchester and Liverpool councils among those celebrated by Friends of the Earth and Ashden for local authority action on climate
• Full list of council case studies can be viewed here
• Accompanying photos can be downloaded here

Local authorities in the North West of England are among 40 councils that have been commended by Friends of the Earth and the climate charity Ashden for their work on climate, as new resources for councils and campaigners are published today.

Warrington Borough Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council are among those featured as part of a unique set of case studies drawn together by the two organisations, which showcase the successful initiatives and solutions that councils have implemented in response to pressing local challenges and to counter the climate emergency.

Councils are crucial to the delivery of the UK’s transition to a cleaner, greener future, but progress needs to be accelerated in every local area if the UK’s climate and nature targets are to be met.

These examples of best practice spanning areas such as nature restoration, energy efficiency and transport, demonstrate the many ways councils can make a substantial difference where they operate, and overcome some of the barriers that currently frustrate progress on local issues as well as the climate.

Local authorities that have introduced innovative climate solutions in the North West include:

• Warrington Borough Council, which raised funds for a renewable energy project through community municipal bonds that could be purchased for as little as £5 by residents
• Wirral Council, which adopted an ambitious tree strategy to plant 210,000 by 2030 and protect existing trees
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which has created a Smart Energy Plan to improve the energy efficiency of nearly 1.2 million homes and develop green skills to ensure its delivery
• Burnley Borough Council, which has boosted biodiversity and community wellbeing through its “Go to the park” project, using alternative methods to traditional, intensive park management
• South Lakeland District Council, which has devised an initiative to help small businesses cut carbon as part of a green recovery from the pandemic
• Liverpool City Council, which has raised the energy efficiency standards of hundreds of the city’s worst performing privately rented homes through proactive engagement with landlords and enforcement using financial penalties

74% of councils have now declared a climate emergency, while a further 85% have formulated climate action plans, but the quality and scale of ambition still varies greatly between local authorities. A lack of clarity from central government about the role that councils must play in the transition to a safer planet remains a significant stumbling block for the sector, alongside a shortfall in funding, resources and powers.

However, the role of councils in the coming years will be essential in meeting the UK’s decarbonisation targets. Unless progress at the local level advances swiftly, both local and national ambitions to make the country future fit will fail to be realised.

That’s why Friends of the Earth and Ashden have developed these case studies, so that the wealth of knowledge and learnings that already exist within the sector can be shared widely. It is hoped that all councils can learn from the range of practical insights and examples that have been collected to help them replicate best practice in their areas.

The two organisations also hope to amplify the many benefits that come with action on climate. By making the switch to green, clean infrastructure, local authorities can guarantee warmer homes, better health and hundreds of thousands of long-term jobs in sustainable industries for their residents.

For the full set of case studies, please visit the Take Climate Action website.

Sandra Bell, campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“Whether it’s declaring a climate emergency or producing a plan to curb climate and nature breakdown, most local authorities have shown they want to do more to protect our planet. But in spite of this, we’re still not seeing local progress at the rate needed to halt the worst climate impacts. 

“For many councils, it’s a question of funding and powers, both of which are in short supply. Yet we have identified a huge number of ways that local authorities can accelerate climate progress where they operate. It’s vital that councils use the powers and resources they have now to drive things forward, while lobbying government for more support in the meantime.

“It’s inspiring to see how councils have overcome some of their own local challenges with creative and practical climate solutions, and we hope that others will use these examples as the springboard to further their own climate ambitions.”

Harriet Lamb, CEO of climate charity Ashden, says:

“Behind the scenes, local authorities are often doing the climate heavy-lifting, engaging communities and seeking to cut carbon in neighbourhoods. They are trialling new initiatives from raising funds through community bonds to training people in the skills of tomorrow such as for retrofitting homes or planting parklets. These initiatives while being good for the planet also have wider benefits – such as improving health when air quality improves through fewer private cars, or warmer homes and lower fuel bills from insulating homes.”

ENDS

For more information and interview requests contact the Friends of the Earth press office on 020 7566 1649 or email media@foe.co.uk.

Notes to editors

1. The full set of case studies compiled by Friends of the Earth and Ashden can be viewed here. Further examples of best practice are due to be published in due course.
2. Photographs for the corresponding case studies can be downloaded here and have been supplied for use by the relevant councils.
3. Friends of the Earth’s Climate Action Plan for Councils sets out 50 important actions that councils can take to address the climate and ecological emergencies while setting out a path to green and fair local economic recovery. Each of the case studies relate directly to 40 of these actions.
4. This set of case studies showcases specific examples of good practice relating to climate action, but this is not necessarily an endorsement of the wider work that these councils are doing.
5. Friends of the Earth and Ashden are part of a coalition of local government, environmental, and research organisations that has published a Blueprint for accelerating climate action and a green recovery at the local level which sets out the national leadership, policies, powers and funding needed to empower local authorities to deliver at scale, working together with communities and businesses.
6. There are over 300 Climate Action groups and Friends of the Earth local groups helping to provide the local solution to a global crisis. They harness community power to make our neighbourhoods greener and more climate friendly. They have convinced local decision-makers to rollout ambitious Climate Action Plans and many are now focussed on turning those plans into action.
7. To find out which councils have declared climate emergencies and adopted Climate Action Plans, please visit: https://data.climateemergency.uk/
8. About Friends of the Earth: Friends of the Earth is an international community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 75 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. For more information visit: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/ follow us at @friends_earth, or like our Facebook page. Save paper and send an e-card today, available at http://foe.uk/ecogifting
9. About Ashden: https://www.ashden.org/  Twitter: @ashden_org 
   Ashden is a UK-based climate solutions charity with a mission to accelerate transformative climate innovations and build a more just world.  Ashden works in the UK with local authorities, businesses and community groups helping organisations share information in order to achieve rapid decarbonisation, with a focus on campaigning for a boost in green skills training. Ashden helps tell the stories of climate and energy pioneers in the UK, Africa, Asia and Latin America.