climate emergency
Lagging behind the retrofit challenge
We risk deepening a divide between rich and poor and different parts of the compass unless we localise national retrofitting strategies, writes Jonathan Werran.
Living in limbo
As delays in confirming the successful bids for Community Renewal Fund cash drag on and councils remain in the dark about the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund, local government leaders are running out of patience. Naomi Larsson reports.
Plugging the net zero funding gap
The UK Climate Change Investment Commission is developing a radical place-based offer to private finance, says Alison Griffin - and it estimates in the core cities and London boroughs alone there is potential for up to £500m worth of investment.
Call for ground-up approach to carbon reduction
The Government must ‘match the ambition of communities’ on reducing carbon emissions, a think-tank has said.
Retrofitting risks ‘dangerous divide’
Councils should have a role to play in avoiding widening regional inequalities when retrofitting housing, according to a new report today.
Pension fund stands firm on fossil fuel investments
The West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) has knocked back a call from trustee Kirklees MBC for it to stop investing in firms that produce fossil fuels.
Action on climate crisis
Watch The MJ and Local Partnerships pre COP26 webinar series designed for local authorities seeking to accelerate their action against the climate crisis through practical solutions.
A masterclass in evolution
Chris Langdon of EQUANS looks at how a Staffordshire town is helping to lead the zero-carbon transition.
Core Cities' offer is not just a housing opportunity
Core Cities UK's offer to the UK Government to increase annual housing delivery up to a total of 25,000 homes per year, offers not just a housing opportunity, but also a skills, employment, economic and low carbon dividend, says Cllr Nick Forbes.
Imagining a health-led recovery
The Health Foundation says local government should be at the heart of driving forward the strategy to improve and level up health, and thereby the economy – but how can this best work in practice? Ann McGauran reports.
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.
Councils need funding certainty
London’s local services face pressures of up to £2bn over the Spending Review period, says Cllr Darren Rodwell. The chancellor must empower councils to tackle the most momentous challenges we face today, he argues.
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.
Councils offer the solution for crisis-hit Britain
Heather Jameson says that without a central Government solution, local government will carry on its firefighting 'but it can’t be at the expense of tackling some of the longer-term issues – and no issue is bigger right now than climate change'.
Leeds’ way to sustainable change
Cllr James Lewis outlines how the national flagship £40m district heating network in Leeds is supporting the city’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Leeds warns it may miss net-zero target
Councillors have been told further funds and powers will be needed to achieve Leeds City Council’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.
Councils’ net-zero hopes dashed
There are no plans for new powers, frameworks or funding overhauls in the Government’s net-zero strategy, ministers have admitted.
Climate leadership demands delivery at scale and pace
What are the practical steps that councils can take, now, to help reduce their carbon emissions and establish a firm track on the journey to net zero? Jo Wall offers her advice
Councils ask for national support on climate change
Councils have said they stand ready to take action to reduce carbon emissions, but require action from central government.
Let’s see some fair play
A new report makes the case for a radical new approach to secure their future of local sports and leisure services, including a call for longer-term investment, say Paul O’Brien, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson and Debbie Kaye.
