As the government launches consultations on their proposals to widen devolution across local government, UK100 have joined the growing calls for climate to play a more significant, legally binding part in the proposals.
While the Government’s White Paper proposes that the new bodies will have a legal duty to produce growth plans, there is no similar obligation to take steps to protect the environment.
Earlier this month a coalition of climate networks, representing hundreds of community groups, wrote to Angela Rayner, calling for a legal duty to be placed on the on the new Strategic Authorities to plan for climate and nature:
‘We welcome the inclusion of environment and climate change in the Devolution White Paper , but we believe a crucial opportunity is being lost. Without statutory duties, Strategic Authorities will lack the mandate, resources, and accountability necessary to drive climate action effectively.
‘The climate and nature crises pose serious risks to economic growth and infrastructure resilience. Climate, nature, transport, spatial planning and health must be addressed together in integrated strategic planning.
‘To ensure meaningful progress, we urge the Government to establish statutory duties for climate and nature at the Strategic Authority level.’
Today UK100’s Director of Advocacy and Engagement, Philip Glanville, entered the debate, saying: ‘Despite the ongoing uncertainty for district councils, they continue to be powerhouses of climate innovation, from developing bold local plans to delivering pioneering retrofit strategies, even as they navigate complex reforms and reorganisation. Their resilience and commitment to local climate action remains inspiring.
‘Among the positives, we welcome the strategic role for regions in Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan and the Warm Homes Plan, which recognises the critical importance of local leadership in achieving the national clean energy mission and delivering the warm, healthy and affordable-to-run homes we so desperately need. We believe they could and should go further on a strategic overall net zero role.
‘However, the proposals miss critical opportunities. The absence of Local Area Energy Planning and specific powers for housing retrofit programmes means we’re not yet fully leveraging local authorities’ potential to drive the scale of change promised at the last election. When compared to trailblazer deals like Greater Manchester’s, these proposals feel tentative rather than transformative.
‘This is clearly just the first chapter of a broader devolution story. We’re looking to the forthcoming planning reforms and English Devolution Bill to provide more clarity on the future of local climate action. One of the simplest ways to strengthen the foundations laid down by these proposals is by introducing a statutory climate duty alongside a duty for growth. Local growth and climate action go hand-in-hand, local leaders are ready and willing to accelerate both – they just need the right tools and support to make it happen.’