Climate change
A new tool for sustainable living
Buckinghamshire Council is proud to be the first council in the UK to use the official app guiding users towards living sustainably in support of the United Nations ACTNOW for climate change campaign. Gareth Williams explains.
Making the green decision pay off
In the week of the ADEPT Spring Conference, new president Mark Kemp says - while some are saying we can’t afford net zero - we need to think more boldly and take more risks.
Due diligence matters
Due diligence should not be viewed as a ‘tick box’ exercise, but as a crucial decision-making tool, says Brian Ng. He outlines six considerations he believes are fundamental for councils to consider before making investment or funding decisions.
Let’s work together on the most important agenda of our time
Paul O'Brien says policy on permitted development rights 'continues to work against a co-ordinated approach at local level on reshaping place and making developers contribute to this process'.
MJ Housing: Creating homes that help the climate crisis
If we are to tackle the climate crisis, we need to start with homes. Simon Hourihan explains some of the research being carried out to make developments more sustainable in the future
Post-pandemic planning for the core cities
Chief executives and directors from the UK’s biggest cities debated their challenges and opportunities in a round table discussion organised by Core Cities UK and The MJ, supported by BT. Paul Marinko reports.
A new way to finance councils’ net zero
There are clear advantages for councils in using community municipal investments as a financing approach to help deliver net zero targets, as John Connor explains.
How can councils address the rising cost of energy?
Don McLean asks if building energy efficiency is the key to mitigating energy crisis impacts on local councils, and he looks at how to make savings using technology.
Thurrock branded 'irresponsible' over protest publicity
A council has been accused of being ‘irresponsible and unjust’ after it published the full names and addresses of environmental protesters.
Getting the most out of carbon literacy training
Hazel Graham and Cara Jenkinson explain how councils can deliver informative, inspiring and well targeted carbon literacy training on a limited budget
Energy strategy to bring about planning overhaul
The Government is to reform planning regulations in the hope of boosting the nation’s energy supply.
Blazing the path to net zero
Ben Simcock discusses how government-funded decarbonisation schemes are trailblazing change.
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.
Starfish Talent 20 - the climate emergency talent
Councils across the country have now declared a climate emergency and those authorities who have not yet passed declarations are placing far greater emphasis on tackling climate change. Starfish and The MJ highlight some of the rising stars in the field
Change is coming and local authorities will need to adapt
Councils must grapple with planning issues now so that as much development as possible is adapted to deal with the effects of climate change, say Ben Standing and James Fawcett.
Chewing over vegan move
Sometimes in local government you just can’t do right for doing wrong.
Community power can unlock net zero
In the week IPPR North launches a report on the transition to net zero, Jonathan Webb looks at the importance and benefits of working with communities rather than imposing policies on them.
Getting on top of the climate crisis in South Derbyshire
South Derbyshire DC has embedded tackling climate change into the council’s culture and its efforts have been recognised by Climate Emergency UK, says Allison Thomas.
Net zero ambitions yet to be levelled up
The Levelling Up White Paper is a missed opportunity to put housing at the heart of the drive to net zero, says Kathy O'Leary.
Levelling up – one hub at a time
The White Paper is unlikely to be as transformative as billed for the country as a whole, but joining up the opportunities it presents could be transformative for some local areas, says Graham Duxbury.
