Related links
Cutting through the green tape: the powers councils have to tackle climate change
19 August 2008
New publication by Local Government Association (LGA) and Nabarro
Tackling climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing local government today. With consumers piling pressure on local authorities to do more, as well as increasing amounts of regulation to contend with, is there more that local authorities can be doing? And how can they best use their powers?
A report issued by the LGA Climate Change Commission in December 2007 identified that local authorities need to make more effective and diligent use of existing powers. There is also a growing consensus that councils should be leading the national effort to tackle climate change. Nabarro have been working closely with LGA to put together some practical guidance on the powers councils have to address these concerns and actively tackle climate change.
The report, published on 4th August, includes information on:
- key powers (some popular and some less well known) that local authorities can use to tackle climate change
- tools, organisation(s) and resources that can offer local authorities further help and support in tackling the green tape issue
- examples of those councils that have successfully applied some of these powers.
Tom Bainbridge, Head of Nabarro's Climate Change and Energy group comments "It is vital that local authorities are aware of the powers and support available to help them tackle this global issue. We hope that the end result of our work with LGA, will provide a useful, practical guide to the mine field of regulation and legislation that surrounds these issues."
Russell Reefer, Policy Consultant at LGA "The LGA has recognised the pivotal role local authorities have to play in tackling climate change through our national Small Change, Big Difference campaign. Cutting through the green tape offers useful examples of those councils who are meeting this challenge within the existing legislative framework. It is our hope that this document will be of use to all local authorities in demonstrating leadership and innovation.”
The publication is available from the LGA website from www.lga.gov.uk
Hard copies available on request from info@lga.gov.uk
19 August 2008
