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CLIMATE CHANGE

Councils face 'Kafkaesque' barriers to net zero

Local authorities face ‘Kafkaesque’ barriers to achieving net zero goals, a new report backed by the Government’s net zero Tsar has concluded.

Local authorities face ‘Kafkaesque' barriers to achieving net zero goals, a new report backed by the Government's net zero Tsar Chris Skidmore MP has concluded.

Published today by the campaign group UK100, the report said many councils were still waiting for the Government to provide the resources and powers needed to reduce carbon emissions.

The report said local authorities faced ‘counterintuitive' planning rules on housing and onshore wind.

Net zero Tsar Chris Skidmore said the local powers to achieve net zero were 'theoretical rather than actual'.

Membership and insights director at UK100 Christopher Hammond, a former leader of Southampton City Council, added: ‘Local-led action is the fastest, most cost-effective route to net zero.'

CLIMATE CHANGE

Solace standards report highlights lack of police engagement

By Ann McGauran | 21 October 2026

The year-long Standards Commission put together by senior officers’ group Solace today highlighted the police’s lack of involvement in the work.

CLIMATE CHANGE

EXCLUSIVE: Chiefs push for councils to be viewed equally as Government seeks to rewire the state

By Dan Peters | 14 October 2026

Council chief executives have warned Whitehall that local authorities must be treated as equal partners as the Government plans to rewire the state.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Autumn Budget: Funding counties' growth

By Steve Broadbent | 14 October 2026

Counties hold the key to growth and public service reform, but the Budget must match ambition with investment, says Steve Broadbent.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Breathing life into the air quality debate

By Daniel Grieve | 05 October 2026

Daniel Grieve says local action has cleaned England’s air, but councils now need funding and a framework to go further.

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