Affordability, co-benefits and carbon saving: the top Climate Actions for councils

Our Climate Action Plan for councils [pdf] contains 50 actions councils and local authorities can take to tackle climate breakdown. But we understand that change requires time, resource and planning.

That's why Friends of the Earth and sustainable energy charity Ashden have analysed the list and highlighted the actions which will have the biggest impact in terms of carbon savings, affordability and co-benefits (such as improved health). 

The results are based on calculations for a typical town of 100,000 residents, and should help councils make quick, well-informed decisions.

Best actions for carbon saving

The top actions identified to reduce greenhouse gases are:

• Identify areas suitable for renewable energy in the local plan (action 29 in our Climate Action Plan).
   
• Invest in the development of renewable energy and energy storage (action 33 in our Climate Action Plan).
   
• Through procurement, ensure the local authority supply chain is minimising carbon emissions (action 5 in our Climate Action Plan).
   
• Enable the rapid shift to electric vehicles (EVs) through putting in place EV charging points (action 20 in our Climate Action Plan).

What are co-benefits?

Many actions which could help reduce carbon emissions have additional benefits. For example, better air quality will have a knock-on effect on health; better insulation will improve the economy by reducing costs for consumers, increase resilience to more extreme weather and improve equity among all residents. 

The top actions identified with the most co-benefits are:

• Retrofit council-owned homes to EPC C standard; upgrade the insulation and heating systems of council buildings, taking advantage of interest free finance available (action 13 on our Climate Action Plan). Co-benefits include health, economy, equity and resilience.
   
• Enforce minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rental sector (action 10 on our Climate Action Plan). Co-benefits include health, equity and resilience.
   
• Engage with schools to ensure meals are delivered in accordance with the official Eatwell Guide on healthy eating and the majority of options on menus are healthy and plant-based, with less and better meat (action 44 on our Climate Action Plan). Co-benefits include health and equity.
   
• Introduce a workplace car parking levy and/or similar initiative to fund sustainable transport (action 7 on our Climate Action Plan). Co-benefits include health and equity.
   
• Increase tree cover on council owned land and on streets; update local planning strategies to encourage nature-based solutions such as increasing tree cover across the council area (action 45 on our Climate Action Plan). Co-benefits include health and resilience.

Affordability

Not all councils are the same, and some face extreme financial constraints. The following actions are the best in terms of affordability. 

• Upgrade the insulation and heating systems of council buildings, taking advantage of interest free finance available (action 13 on our Climate Action Plan).
   
• Switch street lighting to well-designed and well directed LED lights (action 30 on our Climate Action Plan).
   
• Set up a Carbon Offset Fund through Section 106 agreements (action 9 on our Climate Action Plan).
   
• Introduce a workplace car parking levy and/or similar initiative to fund sustainable transport (action 7 on our Climate Action Plan).

Find out more

Download the comprehensive list of Top Climate Actions for Councils.

Ashden have a more detailed spreadsheet, with case studies where available, which can be filtered for ease of use.