- 82% of local authorities disclose health in UK is being impacted by climate change
- New report comprises councils making up over half UK’s population and almost half its carbon emissions
- Extreme heat and flooding are top climate hazards for UK’s local authorities
- Number of climate actions reported by councils nearly doubles from 2018
- More than 9 in 10 councils working with communities on climate change
London, 17th April 2024: More than four in five UK local authorities (82%) say climate change is directly impacting residents’ health and the most at risk members of society. That’s according to new data from CDP - the non-profit which runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions.
Local Action for a Global Challenge is based on the responses of 68 UK local authorities - representing more than half the country’s population (54%) and GDP (59%), and almost half of its greenhouse gas emissions (44%) - that disclosed their climate data through CDP-ICLEI Track in 2023. While it shows the extent of their action, it also highlights the widening impact of climate change on the UK, despite the country’s lowest greenhouse gas emissions in nearly 150 years.
Almost every UK local authority (99%) reported a climate hazard in their area, with extreme heat, flooding (urban, river and coastal), and drought being the most common hazards.
The report also examines the impact of climate change on the UK’s population and economy, finding that the elderly (in 91% of local authorities), low-income households (88%), those with vulnerable health (84%) and children (79%) are the groups most affected by climate hazards. Meanwhile, water supply, waste management, agriculture, and transportation are identified as the sectors most at risk from climate hazards.
However, local authorities are continuing to demonstrate strong leadership in the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Almost all of them have an emissions reduction target (99%) and climate action plans (96%), while the average number of climate actions reported by local authorities in 2023 (14.8) has nearly doubled from 2018 (7.5).
Moreover, more than nine in ten local authorities are working with stakeholders - such as other levels of government (99%) and communities (94%), via citizens’ assemblies or youth climate summits, for example - to take the most inclusive and effective climate actions.
Maia Kutner, CDP Global Director of Cities, States and Regions, said:
“As the UK learns to live with month after month of unparalleled temperature rises and their consequences, it’s encouraging to see so many local authorities stepping up to the plate to tackle climate change.
“So much of the action needed to reach the UK’s climate goals can only be delivered locally. Whether taking tangible climate action or including communities in decision-making, local authorities are committed, and working hard, to mitigate and adapt to the growing effects, from health to economic impacts, of the greatest challenge of our age.
“Local authorities cannot, and cannot be expected to, do this alone though. They need a step change in support from national governments - financially, structurally and practically - coupled with genuine political conviction and will at Cabinet level to tackle climate change. This will allow their climate action to have a deeper national effect, and galvanise more of the local action that is making a difference.”
The principal obstacle for local authorities to adapt to climate change is budgetary capacity, with close to two thirds (60%) citing it as the most challenging factor in tackling the effects of a rapidly warming planet. Of the 59 local authorities disclosing how much additional funding they require for climate infrastructure projects, CDP analysis shows that the investment gap stands at £8.9 billion - likely a significant underestimate of needs - plainly illustrating just how much investment is needed to turn the UK’s transition to a net-zero future into reality, alongside wider council budgetary issues.
Amongst other measures to accelerate the UK’s net-zero transition, CDP recommends:
- Local authorities mainstream climate action by ensuring cross-departmental collaboration on plans, policies and activities across the council.
- Local authorities integrate climate risks, targets and action into council budgeting and decision-making.
- National governments formally and clearly define the climate roles and powers of local authorities, including a legal duty for them to develop plans and deliver emissions reductions aligned with a governmental carbon budget.
- National governments revise the structure of grant funding to make joined up, long-term investment in local climate action
Examples of local UK climate action:
- Lancashire’s ‘Cosy Homes in Lancashire’ initiative targets domestic energy efficiency, focusing on low-income households. So far, the project has reached 2,193 properties, saving 100,488 tonnes of CO2 from 2020 to 2022. The initiative is now delivering a £41 million Home Upgrade Grant which will provide measures to 2,000 properties, saving an estimated 173,711 tonnes of CO2.
- Coventry has installed 957 charging points in the city, providing a total of 1,326 spaces for consumers to charge their vehicles. Another 450 charger points are expected to be operational by April 2024, contributing to the ongoing development of Coventry's electric vehicle infrastructure.
- Over half of Newport is at risk of river flooding. The Crindau Flood Management scheme built defences along 2.6km of the Crindau Pill, protecting over 600 homes. At the same time, new river embankments were established with new footpaths, cycle paths and public spaces.
- The Belfast Climate Commission’s working groups are embedding community views in the city’s climate action. The Youth Working Group has held climate discussions with young people (for example, through the Youth Summit during COP26), fostering direct engagement between local young people and politicians, and leading to a report that will factor into policy decisions.
- Oxfordshire has created a comprehensive supply chain emissions policy. It is working with current suppliers of major contracts to introduce reporting on emissions and reduction plans. For new contracts above £5 million, the Council is prioritising suppliers with science-based targets, while requesting emissions reporting for new contracts above £1 million. It is also engaging with all suppliers to jointly identify decarbonisation opportunities.
- Brighton & Hove has developed a pioneering sustainability engagement programme in collaboration with local schools. Initiatives being undertaken by the 47 participating schools in 2022-23 include integrating essential climate change knowledge across all curriculum areas and the promotion of green skills; connecting young people with nature; and schools being net-zero by 2030.