Climate breakdown and biodiversity loss are the biggest challenges of our time. The 1992 Rio Earth Summit was a defining moment in our response to climate breakdown. Yet, in the three decades since, more than 50% of total emissions from fossil fuels and industry have been released into the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration has risen from 356 parts per million to 427; the safe limit is 350ppm. We have breached seven critical planetary boundaries: deforestation, unsustainable water use and air pollution abound. Temperature rise is consistently higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement target of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Many local authorities set ambitious targets for decarbonisation and net zero, linked to detailed carbon budget analysis. Worryingly, those same authorities are now reporting that targets for 2030 and 2035 are likely to be missed, reflecting a lack of policy intent, investment and support from Whitehall. Local government influences around 30% of emissions through planning, housing, transport, procurement and service delivery. But what does system transformation look like? It creates a ‘green thread' running through every initiative, every project, service and budget line. In addition, local government performance remains patchy. Recent scorecards published by Climate Emergency UK demonstrate the scale of the challenge and the distance many councils need to travel, in areas as diverse as planning, housing, waste management, energy, transport and community leadership. As ambition and delivery need to accelerate, the election of Reform UK to lead 10 councils signals a step back from climate action in many areas. The Reform UK Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire reportedly stated that climate change does not exist, while the Reform-led county council has abolished its flooding committee. Flood and water management are a key priority within the county's infrastructure plans and community risk registers: local systems leadership is fundamental to success. We need a step change in ambition and delivery. Climate change denial has no part to play. The 2023 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report called for whole system transformation of economic and political systems, embracing transparency in governance, equity and a just transition to a liveable future for all. The panel called for an urgent refocusing of global finance, public policy and government intent. Local government influences around 30% of emissions through planning, housing, transport, procurement and service delivery. But what does system transformation look like? It creates a ‘green thread' running through every initiative, every project, service and budget line. Planning policy with a focus on net zero is an emerging reality in some adopted local plans, based on carbon budget analysis, sustainable design and construction and transition to renewable energy generation. Investment in decarbonisation of local services and active travel infrastructure present opportunities to reduce emissions, stimulate economic development and create jobs. Investment in net zero housing and retrofitting existing homes through the adoption of local standards can be achieved viably and commercially, significantly reducing energy bills for social housing tenants. Building the infrastructure for renewable energy generation is an investment in energy security and jobs. Active community leadership enables locally determined solutions to be developed, building resilience and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. Nature based solutions bring opportunities for enhancing local biodiversity, sustainable land management and reforestation. The promotion of active lifestyles reduces congestion, boosts health and reduces demand for critical health and care services. Encouraging climate literacy and local engagement builds capacity and leadership in communities: local solutions to place specific challenges will emerge from proactive citizen engagement. Crucially, investment in net zero is the only viable economic policy. In 2024, the World Economic Forum published research projecting that every 1C rise in temperature costs the global economy 12% of GDP. There is no economic future without action on climate. To move from patchy performance to systemic transformation, councils must embrace a new compass, one that centres climate justice, evidence-based planning, and radical collaboration. There is a great opportunity to learn from frontrunners, share best practice and inspire community activism for a flourishing, sustainable, healthy future for all. The climate emergency is not a policy silo or a budget line on the edge of the organisation. It is the defining challenge of our time. An investment in a net zero future is an investment in jobs, infrastructure, people and communities. Local government has the mandate, the tools and the moral imperative to lead. It can advocate for climate action to form a fundamental design principle for devolution, funding reform and local government reorganisation. The clock is ticking and the transformation must be total.

Title

CLIMATE EMERGENCY

The clock is ticking on climate

The climate emergency is the defining challenge of our time, and councils have the mandate, tools and moral imperative to lead, says Ian Fytche.

By Ian Fytche | 17 September 2025

Climate breakdown and biodiversity loss are the biggest challenges of our time. The 1992 Rio Earth Summit was a defining moment in our response to climate breakdown. Yet, in the three decades since, more than 50% of total emissions from fossil fuels and industry have been released into the atmosphere.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration has risen from 356 parts per million to 427; the safe limit is 350ppm. We have breached seven critical planetary boundaries: deforestation, unsustainable water use and air pollution abound. Temperature rise is consistently higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement target of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING

Get unlimited access to The MJ with a subscription, plus a weekly copy of The MJ magazine sent directly to you door and inbox.

Full website content includes additional, exclusive commentary and analysis on the issues affecting local government.

Already a subscriber?