Title

The United Nations (UN) has urged local authorities to become an integral part of the global debate on climate change. With governments around the world struggling to find an agreement on emissions after the failure of the Copenhagen summit, a surprise call came for devolution of responsibility to local level. The first world congress on the adaptation of cities to the effects of climate change, saw local government again praised for its action on the ground but stressed the need for connections with leaders of other sectors. Margareta Wahlstrom, the UN's assistant secretary-general for disaster risk reduction, called on governments to give more say to local authorities when setting national climate change agendas. She added the UN needed a stronger framework to interact with local government and hoped that work on the climate change agenda would be an entry point for greater collaboration with municipal leaders. The organiser, Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), has urged councils to focus on adaptation to the effects of climate change in cities and towns. The Local Government Association's 2010 climate change conference, in February, raised the issue of adaptation to climate change. The LGA issued guidance for elected members to spread awareness of climate projections and promote good practice case studies to aid councils developing their own local adaptation strategies. Vanessa Goodchild-Bradley, environmental policy consultant at the LGA, told The MJ: ‘It is essential local government has a good understanding of the impacts of climate change and some of the actions we can take to safeguard communities and adapt services, buildings and infrastructure.'

Title

WHITEHALL

Councils urged to lead climate change debate

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING