ADEPT urges government to recognise the critical role of local authorities in delivering net zero

ADEPT, the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport, has launched a new policy paper that urges government to give local authorities the powers, resources and funding they need to deliver net zero.

Launching the organisation’s Climate Change and Green Growth policy position at the recent ADEPT spring conference, in-coming president Mark Kemp said national targets will only be met through climate change action at the local level.

Furthermore, he added, a clear framework for delivery, coherent policy and powers for councils with appropriate long-term funding are all required to meet these targets.

ADEPT stresses the importance of behaviour change in achieving climate action. It argues that half of the emissions reductions targeted rely on households and businesses adopting low-carbon solutions – and local authorities must be enabled to facilitate the necessary behavioural change through how places are designed and where new infrastructure is installed.

The paper says climate change and green growth are the key drivers across a range of policy areas including net zero and adaptation, levelling up, biodiversity and health and wellbeing. And planning reform is urgently needed to better align delivery.

Kemp, whose day job is executive director of environment and transport at Hertfordshire County said, “Our climate is already changing – the evidence for that is overwhelming – and we have to provide a rapid response. But we will not meet our national net zero targets without fully enabling local councils. I urge government to recognise the critical role of local authorities in delivering net zero and climate change action.”