As community leaders, planning bodies, owners of assets and stewards of  local economies and champions of sustainability, local authorities have a critical part to play in the green energy revolution we desperately need.

Councils the length and breadth of the country are already achieving impressive results on energy efficiency and renewables.

A recent report from IPPR added weight to the compelling case for councils' pivotal role in renewable energy. The think-tank's publication City energy: a new powerhouse for Britain shows the part they are playing and argues that local energy generation is increasingly cost effective, supports growth and delivers jobs.