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Like me, I suspect you will have been in more than a few meetings, during the recent bout of icy weather, and heard someone say: ‘So much for global warming!' It is, of course, a bit more than a topical quip, given that there has recently been – via the media and elsewhere – a louder discussion about the respective merits of the believers, deniers and agnostics when it comes to climate change. Regardless of that debate, there is still a high level of interest in what can be done to effect more of a shift towards a ‘low carbon economy' among all tiers of government, businesses and other groups across the country. Politically and professionally, local government remains seriously engaged in work which is focused on moving towards alternative methods for producing energy and reducing the output of greenhouse gas emissions. Obviously, there are ‘green' benefits, but there is also substantial economic incentive for such a change. The potential for growth in research and development into low carbon technologies is huge – not to mention the associated jobs and investment which come with low carbon businesses and technology. The London Development Agency (LDA) estimated last year that in order to meet CO2 reduction targets by 2030, there would need to be £368bn spent on renewable energy, energy efficiency and low carbon finance. So, securing a slice of this money could mean that as many as 1.2 million people in the country will be working in green sectors by 2015, according to figures in the Government's low carbon transition plan. Councils are already leading the way in reducing carbon emissions, and in London, we have many such projects on the go. Our ‘Homes Energy Efficiency Programme' (HEEP) – run with the mayor and the London Development Agency – aims to retrofit 60% of the capital's housing stock, and save up to 1.25 million tonnes of CO2 by 2015. We are also working with the mayor, utility companies and motor manufacturers on the shift to electric vehicles. Local authorities can show the way by leading by example, stimulating market demand, and helping local businesses and residents to play a key part also. Crucially, we also need to continue to work with employers, academies, and other skills providers to ensure that skills gaps are identified and filled. Finally, there is also an argument for devolution in here. More councils would be keen to see relevant public grants devolved and councils more able to keep a share of savings if they can deliver homes retrofitting at a lower cost. Whatever the state of the macro debate on climate change, this is a work which will occupy many of us, through all types of weather, for some time to come. John O'Brien is chief executive of London Councils

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WHITEHALL

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