Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty is one of 32 cross-party leaders and mayors to sign a request that government to devolve more powers to local areas.
The group, which represents leaders across the UK, are demanding powers to shape local energy markets, decarbonise transport and tackle emissions from homes and offices.
At the International Net Zero Local Leadership Conference held this week in Birmingham, the leaders lobbied Business Secretary Kwasi Kwateng.
Campaign group UK 100 and the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street jointly organised the summit.
Examples of what the leaders are asking for include:
- Giving local authorities the power to decarbonise new and existing buildings and homes in their areas
- Setting up strategic energy bodies – with a duty to co-operate between public bodies and the companies that run our energy infrastructure
- Cutting the costs of connecting electric vehicle charging networks to the grid
- A clear target must be added to the Environment Bill to reverse the decline in species and habitats by 2030
- Ensuring the new UK Infrastructure Bank has a Net Zero mandate
- The above measures would be facilitated by a new Net Zero Local Powers Bill to cement new powers for local authorities alongside new reporting requirements on emissions.
Read the statement about how local leaders propose to deliver a Net Zero UK.
Local areas leading the way on climate action
Councillor Mac Cafferty said: “It’s clear that in the UK it is local councils, cities and regions which are leading the way on climate action. We will be able to go so much further, and so much faster when this is recognised and properly resourced. And this is precisely what this important report argues from UK100.
“In Brighton & Hove we’ve been laying the foundations to decarbonise our city. Our carbon neutral plan sets out the bold steps we will take to achieve net zero across all sectors, including energy, housing, transport and the circular economy, working with local communities and organisations.
“Projects already underway include rewilding of open spaces; carbon sequestration through tree planting and restoring the kelp farm; trailblazing new work on hydrogen energy for transport and insulating all of the council’s housing stock – over 11,500 homes.”
On 10 July The Observer highlighted Brighton & Hove’s rewilding project for Waterhall golf course in its special report about how UK cities are going back to nature.
Councillor Mac Cafferty added: “It’s time to give the decision-making powers to local areas so that communities can deliver meaningful change and develop the creative and innovative work already underway in the nine years we have to make a difference.”
Last week councillor Mac Cafferty successfully passed a motion at the annual Local Government Association conference to ensure adequate representation for local government and communities at the upcoming international conference on climate change action, COP-26.