Title

CLIMATE 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.

Progress needs to be accelerated in every local area if the UK's climate and nature targets are to be met, campaigners have said.

A new report from the charities Friends of the Earth and Ashden argued local authorities were ‘crucial' to helping the UK tackle the climate emergency.

Most councils have now declared a climate emergency and 85% have created climate action plans.

However, the study warned that the quality and scale of ambition still varied greatly across the country - in large part because of a lack of clarity from the Government about the role of councils in the journey to net zero.

Friends of the Earth campaigner Sandra Bell said: ‘Whether it's declaring a climate emergency or producing a plan to curb climate and nature breakdown, most local authorities have shown they want to do more to protect our planet.

'But, in spite of this, we're still not seeing local progress at the rate needed to halt the worst climate impacts.

‘For many councils it's a question of funding and powers - both of which are in short supply.'

CLIMATE CHANGE

Former DCN chair blames LGR for council's debt write-off plan

By Paul Marinko | 12 February 2026

A former District Councils’ Network chair has blamed local government reorganisation (LGR) for his council’s proposal to write off nearly £500,000 of debt to...

CLIMATE CHANGE

The centre must tackle the challenges still faced by counties and unitaries

By Cllr Matthew Hicks | 12 February 2026

The Government’s decision to pay the bulk of SEND deficits is a relief, but sensible decisions on reorganisation are crucial to delivering substantial saving...

CLIMATE CHANGE

The art of the deal

By Cllr Stephen Alambritis | 12 February 2026

Stephen Alambritis says local authorities need to think commercially to thrive – and he explains what one London council’s £186m deal proves.

CLIMATE CHANGE

What councils need to know about Martyn's law

By Nathan Emmerich | 12 February 2026

Nathan Emmerich looks at the role councils are playing during the implementation period of Martyn’s Law – the legislation aimed at protecting the public agai...

Popular articles by William Eichler