West Northamptonshire Climate & Nature Partnership (WNCAN)
Community and Councils' role in combating climate change
Currently, citizens in the UK do not have an organised, coherent and easily accessible guide to what action they can take on climate change. Government does, businesses do, and local government does, but the 67m residents of the UK overall do not. That is, unless they make efforts to find out for themselves. This is where Community Groups, Town and Parish councils have an essential role to play.
AS
4/13/20262 min read
As the UK Government stated in 2021: “Local leaders are well placed to engage with all parts of their communities and to understand local policy, political, social, and economic nuances relevant to climate action. Not only does local government drive action directly, but it also plays a key role in communicating with, and inspiring action by, local businesses, communities, and civil society. Of all UK emissions, 82% are within the scope of influence of local authorities”. (ref 1).
Whilst Town and Parish councils clearly do not have the powers or influence that Unitary Authorities have, they arguably are closer to their residents, and can more often engage in face to face contact with their communities.
This is an extremely important part of our country’s progress to a sustainable society and economy with, for example, the UK government's independent Committee on Climate Change estimating that 40% of UK emissions come from households.
Councils and community groups can have an influence on:
Local residents knowledge of what is happening to the climate and what possible actions can be taken at all levels of society to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change.
Local businesses from small to large, as well as schools, and faith groups.
The Chair of the Parliament’s Environment and Climate Change Committee has said:
“People power is critical to reach our environmental goals, but unless we are encouraged and enabled to change behaviours in how we travel, what we eat and buy and how we heat our homes, we won’t meet those targets. Polling shows the public is ready for leadership from the Government. People want to know how to play their part in tackling climate change and environmental damage.” (ref 2)
Town and Parish councils especially can provide that encouragement and enable their residents by providing practical ideas for household emissions reduction, many of which will also have other benefits, such as saving money, getting fitter and healthier and increasing community engagement by meeting together to take joint action.
REFS
1] from page 261 in Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, published by the UK Govt in Oct 2021: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6194dfa4d3bf7f0555071b1b/net-zero-strategy-beis.pdf
2] Government must support behaviour change to meet climate targets - Committees - UK Parliament (Baroness Parminter, Committee Chair, quoted in 2022)