A bureaucratic system of bidding for short term funding pots is
hampering efforts to reach net zero targets, a survey for the
Local Government Association (LGA) has found.
The survey also found two thirds (67 per cent) of councils were
not confident in hitting their net zero targets, putting the
Government’s net zero strategy in doubt as councils warn of
challenges in achieving local climate action.
The survey found the potential of local climate action is being
“strangled” by a complex web of hard to reach Whitehall funding
pots, for instance:
- One in four councils are generally unsuccessful in bidding
for net zero funds
- 60 per cent of councils have been dissuaded from bidding into
a government fund because of the time and resources needed to
write bids
- 83 per cent are concerned by an excessive bureaucratic burden
tied up with national funding pots
Nine in 10 councils do not think there is a sufficient financing
plan in place to deliver net zero by 2050, with three quarters
(73 per cent) saying the bureaucracy and uncertainty of
government funding is unattractive to private investors.
Councils want to lead local climate action to cut carbon and
bring benefits for economies, health, and public services. For
instance install rooftop solar panels to cut bills, revitalise
green spaces and electrify transport to clean up toxic air, and
promote safer walking and cycling for all.
The LGA is calling on all parties to back local climate action,
supporting a local approach that can achieve net zero by 2050 for
half the cost of national approach and deliver three times the
financial returns.
The survey also found councils have little or no confidence in
the approach to achieve net zero homes (85 per cent), net zero
transport (80 per cent), and in achieving net zero in a way that
is fair and inclusive to everyone (95 per cent).
Cllr , environment spokesperson
for the LGA said:
“Councils are leading transformative projects across the country,
but their innovation is being strangled by the national approach
to the transition to net zero.
“We must rise to the challenge of climate change. With an impact
on over 80 per cent of emissions from their area – from transport
and housing to renewable energy, government will not reach net
zero without empowering councils to deliver local climate action
in every village, town and city.
“With the right support, local areas could deliver net zero
quicker and for less money, while boosting the local economy and
ensuring local people benefit.”
