The LGA has been promoting councils’ work on sustainability
COP29 – the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference – took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, last month, with more than 100 political leaders from local and regional governments in attendance.
Although it was not in Baku, the LGA continues to influence local government engagement with COP through the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities Constituency (LGMA). This year, the LGA endorsed the co-created LGMA Joint Position, which has three clear asks:
- to accelerate inclusive, multi-level (international, national, regional and local) climate action that is responsive to agendas around climate, nature, pollution and sustainable development, by incorporating local and sub-regional governments into new, nationally determined contributions, adaptation plans and other national goals
- finance sustainable urbanisation and climate action to all government levels
- align the climate, nature, pollution, and sustainable development agendas by building on the COP28 Joint Statement on Climate, Nature and People.
For the duration of COP29, the LGA ‘Act Local, Impact Global’ campaign unfolded across social media to promote notable council good practice and the LGA’s Sustainability Improvement programme.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA, welcomed the opening of COP29 in a video, and highlighted the key role that councils play in tackling climate change locally. The campaign shone a spotlight on the innovative sustainability work being done by councils.
For example, Newham Council has introduced the UK’s first ‘Just Transition’ plan, shifting the focus from a purely decarbonisation approach to a wider stance of embedding core principles of increasing equity for residents and adapting to the worsening impacts of climate change.
Wirral Council’s ‘Active Wirral Energy Efficiency Programme’ implemented a comprehensive range of interventions to target energy-intensive leisure services.
This resulted in £231,000 in avoided costs and 335 tonnes of CO2 emissions saved, which is the equivalent of driving around the globe 10 times in an SUV.
Several councils are also leading in renewable energy, including Bristol City Council, which generates more than 3,000GWh from wind and solar, and Warrington Borough Council, which has taken a commercial approach to public sector investment in clean energy, and developed and acquired two large solar farms.
In November, the LGA hosted a virtual event on ‘COP29: the importance of local government’s role in sustainability’, chaired by Cllr Linda Foley (Lab) from Manchester City Council.
Four speakers shared how their local authorities are addressing climate action, focusing on three key themes from the COP29 framework. They outlined how they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the local level to reach below the 1.5°C target; identified their role in enhancing ambition and enabling action; and highlighted the importance of inclusivity across climate work.
The LGA’s Sustainability Improvement programme, funded by and delivered in partnership with the Crown Commercial Service, provides tools and opportunities to build councils’ capability and capacity in sustainability and the environment.
The programme enables councils to learn from notable practice in the sector, showcased in our case study database.
Information on upcoming support offers for councils – such as carbon literacy masterclasses, virtual events and roundtables – can be found on the LGA’s online Sustainability Hub (see information box, below), and you can keep up to date by signing up for our monthly sustainability e-bulletin.
- See www.local.gov.uk/sustainability-hub for more on the LGA’s COP-related work, support for councils, and council case studies. Find out more about the LGMA.