Pollution
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.
Return on investment – the next frontier in city climate action
More than 30 cities in six countries including Cambridge, Coventry and Dundee are using a new software platform to model different ways to meet their climate targets. Tomer Shalit explains.
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.
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'.
We mustn’t lose sight of the next crisis
Despite warnings about the likelihood of a global pandemic, nations failed to prepare, says Cllr Krupa Sheth. We must not lose sight of the climate emergency crisis, she adds.
Has COVID-19 put the brake on clean air zones?
Data appears to suggest a shift towards private cars may already be happening in response to COVID-19, say Laura Thornton and Andrew Lister. Where does this leave local authorities’ clean air zones plans?
Using collective intelligence to boost cycling and walking in cities
In the latest in an essay series on how the wisdom of citizens could help councils manage after COVID, Peter Baeck and Sophie Reynolds consider how to make cities better for cycling and walking.
Failure to act on tackling air pollution would be deadly
With more than one in 19 deaths in UK cities and large towns caused by toxic air, the UK Government needs to take action urgently, says Andrew Carter. There are also steps that city leaders can take to improve the air of their constituents, he adds.
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.
LGA calls for more cash to tackle air polution
The Local Government Association has responded coolly to a ministerial invitation for councils to bid for a slice of £2m through the Air Quality Grant Scheme.
Coventry ordered to implement clean air zone
Coventry City Council has accused the Government of using ‘heavy handed’ tactics after it was ordered to implement a clean air zone.
Recycling scheme to tackle plastic bottle waste
Environment secretary Michael Gove today announced a new deposit return scheme to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.
