Air quality
Councils need more ‘funding and powers’ to tackle climate change
Progress needs to be accelerated in every local area if the UK’s climate and nature targets are to be met, campaigners have said.
Taking action on air pollution
Can air quality be improved through the power of good collective decision-making, facilitated by digital technology? Ann McGauran reports on a recent experiment.
Lambeth is already stepping up on climate action
Lambeth will release its borough-wide Climate Action Plan next month. It is vital that our Government recognises that local councils must be at the centre of the campaign against the climate crisis, says council leader Cllr Claire Holland.
Joining the dots
Ahead of COP26, the Government has published its route map for reaching net-zero emissions, but is it ambitious enough and what does it mean for local government? Ann McGauran reports.
Is it easy being green?
Huw Russell of Local Partnerships says: 'It might not all be easy, but we stand ready to support the public sector implement the changes required by the Environment Bill.'
Street Hub 2.0 provides an opportunity to drive recovery
James Browne looks at how digital infrastructure can support local authorities to enhance services for local communities.
Sharing the tech journey
Councils across south London are collaborating through the Internet of Things project to test ways technology can bring practical benefits to residents and to businesses. Cllr Sunita Gordon and Cllr Stephanie Archer explain.
Capital's councils in call for tough new powers
Local authorities need tough new powers to combat non-traffic sources of air pollution, the capital’s councils have urged.
Protecting our borough’s future
Planning guidance may sound technical and uninspiring, but using it to protect the environment and historic buildings is anything but, says Cllr Johnny Thalassites.
Government to impose new air pollution targets
The Government will increase funding to local authorities and impose new legal targets on air pollution in a bid to prevent further deaths.
Time to get serious about air quality
When it comes to air quality it is local authorities’ duty to go above and beyond simple compliance, says Mark Nichols.
Stay focused on the longer-term climate ambitions
Remaining focused on the longer-term climate ambitions can be challenging, says John O'Brien - 'but they are ambitions that will often be part of our broader, near term recovery efforts as well'.
NLGN study highlights concerns over air quality
Unitaries are much less likely than Metropolitan councils and London boroughs to consider taking action on air quality as ‘extremely or very important’, the latest quarterly NLGN leadership index survey has found.
How to make a citizens’ assembly work for you
Want to commission a citizens’ assembly? Here, three councils say ‘go for it’. But there’s a lot to think about – and above all, you need the right issue say Sarah Owens, Isobel Wade and James Moody.
Delivering cleaner air in Wigan
Wigan MBC has appointed its first air quality officer. Matthew O’Neill says his appointment is the latest in a long list of efforts made by the council as it aspires to be carbon neutral by 2038 or sooner.
Wiltshire leads the way in the climate challenge
Friends of the Earth put Wiltshire at the top of the list of most climate-friendly areas in England. Alistair Cunningham outlines how the council will set about achieving its aim for council and county to be carbon neutral by 2030.
It’s time to clean up our act
With more than 230 local climate emergencies declared nationwide, it’s time for our local and combined authorities to take action for decarbonisation and sustainable clean growth, writes Jonathan Werran.
The positive domino effects of emissions-based parking schemes
Peter O’Driscoll argues that emissions-based parking delivers cleaner and healthier cities.
We can change behaviours, hearts and minds on the climate emergency
There are great examples of the good work on climate friendliness by County Councils' Network member authorities, says Cllr Sam Corcoran - but there will be a limit to what can be done unless local government is properly funded.
Queen's speech: Councils promised new powers to tackle pollution
The Queen’s Speech promised an Environment Bill which will establish a ‘world-leading’ independent regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection, and hand some new powers to councils.
