Title

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

EXCLUSIVE: Councils warn of 'devastating' axing of net zero fund

By Dan Peters | 07 October 2025

Councils have warned of the ‘devastating’ impact after the Government failed to commit further investment in a fund viewed as key to net zero plans.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Dear secretary of state – part 2

By Steve Leach | 01 October 2025

As the new secretary of state Steve Reed settles into his new role, Steve Leach and Colin Copus tell him that now is not a good time for a ‘disruptive, expen...

CLIMATE CHANGE

Embedding healthy eating within local communities

By Corin Bell | 29 September 2025

Corin Bell explains how a pioneering partnership that makes fruit and vegetables available on prescription in Tower Hamlets is building an evidence base for...

CLIMATE CHANGE

AI and tech – the evolution of care

By Simon Guerrier | 22 September 2025

Simon Guerrier examines what AI and technology-enabled care are, the benefits they can bring, the risks and costs to consider, and the lessons from one local...

Popular articles by William Eichler