.svg)
‘5 & ‘25 Conference
As we mark the halfway point to many local and combined authorities’ 2030 climate targets and 25 years from the national 2050 deadline, UK100 is exploring how we move beyond targets.
Beyond targets
With councils facing challenges in meeting ambitious climate commitments, this pivotal moment brings cross-party local leaders together to celebrate success, share practical solutions, and make the case for greater powers to create thriving places powered by clean energy — with fresh air to breathe, warm homes to live in, and a healthy natural environment.
.avif)
Our network
UK100 is the cross-party local climate network.
We unite ambitious, cross-party local leaders to tackle climate change in their communities, showing them what works, and making the case for greater local powers.
Why local still matters
Local climate action is crucial for creating thriving places. Councils' deep understanding of their communities enables them to implement effective solutions that deliver exceptional value for money. A place-based approach generates substantial social benefits, helps residents save money and improves health outcomes.
in benefits for every £1 spent locally
For every £1 spent on local climate action, around £14 of wider social benefits are delivered (Innovate UK)
local authorities have influence over more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in their areas, and they’re the tier of government most trusted to wield that influence (UK Government)
community energy groups helped people save an estimated £4.4 million on energy bills via energy efficiency initiatives in England in 2023 alone (Community Energy England)
Local climate action
From cities to villages, local authorities are looking beyond targets to create thriving places powered by clean energy — with fresh air to breathe, warm homes to live in, and a healthy natural environment.
Birmingham's Clean Air Zone has delivered dramatic improvements to residents' daily lives since 2021. After the zone, air pollution has fallen by 17%, preventing an estimated 7,500 GP appointments and 50 hospital admissions yearly — particularly helping children with asthma. The city centre has become more appealing, with 62% of businesses reporting increased visitor appeal. Residents have embraced more accessible transport options, with cycling up 13% and bus use increasing by 2%. The zone has created a cleaner, healthier Birmingham where people can breathe easier while enjoying a more vibrant city centre.
Cambridge City Council's home energy retrofit programme has revitalised 494 low-income households with warmer homes and dramatically reduced energy bills — saving residents an average of £320 annually. The programme installed 1.14MW of solar panels across 455 homes and fitted 210 properties with efficient heat pumps, reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuels. Beyond home improvements, the scheme has created 48 full-time jobs at MacBrook Gas Ltd alone, driving £2.55 million private in the local economy. A new training facility will upskill 2,000 local tradespeople and create 400 apprenticeships, building lasting low-carbon skills in the community.
Leeds PIPES district heating network has transformed lives by delivering affordable warmth to nearly 2,000 council flats previously struggling with costly heating. Residents enjoy 10-25% lower energy bills — saving £100-£250 yearly — while homes are warmer and healthier with reduced damp and mould. The network has already cut carbon emissions by 5,945 tonnes annually — which will increase to 11,000 when both phases are complete (equivalent to taking 2,500 cars off the road) — and improved air quality by replacing individual gas boilers. The project has created sustained local employment, with over 430 people working in Leeds' low-carbon heat sector, including 36 apprentices from the local community.
What needs to change
Councils are working with one hand tied behind their backs. To unlock the true social and economic benefits of local action, the following needs to change.
Establish a comprehensive national framework for Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) with dedicated non-competitive funding, giving local and regional authorities strategic powers for integrated energy planning.
A Local Power Plan designed to work with local authorities to unlock community energy by removing planning barriers, providing clear policy support while prioritising community engagement and local benefit.
Develop a comprehensive plan for grid expansion that brings together local authorities, communities, National Energy System Operator, and other stakeholders to support infrastructure development that enhances local resilience, integrates renewable sources effectively, and ensures all planning decisions are climate compatible while maximising community benefits.
Rapidly introduce and implement the Future Homes Standard with a zero carbon buildings standard at its core for all new developments, with sufficient powers for local authorities to set and implement energy efficiency requirements that will eliminate the need for new homes to be retrofitted later and protect residents from high energy costs.
Embed climate requirements firmly in planning policy and practice, empowering local planning authorities to prioritise the Climate Change Act in planning decisions over developer viability, providing training for Planning Inspectorate staff, and ensuring developers adhere to these standards in new developments.
Deliver the Warm Homes Plan in full, and reform local retrofit funding schemes away from competitive, short-term pots towards multi-year, non-competitive funding that supports place based, whole-home approaches, acts as a catalyst for market development, and enables local authorities to deliver strategic, area-based programmes that build local skills and supply chains.
Develop a statutory climate duty for all public bodies to align their decisions and spending with climate targets, supported by clear guidance and adequate resources to raise the priority of action and ensure consistent delivery across all local authorities.
Follow the lead of countries like Australia and establish a cross-departmental local climate action delivery authority to coordinate delivery between local and national government, define roles and responsibilities, provide feedback on spending mechanisms, and ensure local authorities deliver on their new formal statutory role in the transition.
Transform local authority funding for climate action away from short-term competitive pots towards multi-year place-based grants that enable long-term planning, attract private investment, and provide certainty for developing robust, enduring programmes that deliver for local communities.
Join our cross-party
flagship conference
Book your place to our flagship conference, and learn how to deliver climate action that boosts your local economy, cuts bills and delivers for your community.
