Environment

Our environment work covers a wide range of areas including climate change, energy, housing, planning and waste. The LGA's lobbying and policy on these and other environmental issues are steered by its Environment Board as well as being informed by the Environment Advisory Panel.

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Latest news and analysis

• LGA Floods Bulletin August 2010

  This monthly bulletin contains the latest news, publications and events on Flood and Coastal Erosion issues.

  Added on: 20 August 2010
  

• LG Group Climate Change Month, October 2010

  The LG Group is dedicating October 2010 to climate change. During the month we will highlight and promote the commitment and innovation councils demonstrate in improving the energy efficiency of their residents’ homes; rolling out new sources of green energy; and tackling climate change. We will also consider what further steps local and central government need to take to fight climate change and help people adapt to our changing times.

  Added on: 19 August 2010
  

• New government guidance for local authorities on abolition of regional strategies

  On 6 July 2010 at the Local Government Group’s annual conference, Eric Pickles MP confirmed that the government had laid the necessary statutory instrument to formally revoke regional strategies. This together with new government guidance issued to local authorities on how to address the changes, should now be taken on board by councils and planning inspectors.

  Added on: 9 July 2010
  

• LGA Floods Bulletin - July 2010

  This monthly bulletin contains the latest news, publications and events on Flood and Coastal Erosion issues.

  Added on: 8 July 2010
  

• Greening Campaign Conference

  A major one day event on Adaptation to Climate Change is taking place on 20 July at the QEII Conference Centre in London.

  Added on: 29 June 2010
  

• Making better use of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and data consultation – LGA and LACORS joint response - 25 May 2010

  In March 2010, the government published for consultation a number of measures to help improve the effectiveness of EPCs and to make better use of energy performance data. LGA and LACORS submitted a joint response this consultation.

  Added on: 7 June 2010
  

• LGA Group response to Consultation on PPS: Planning for a low carbon future in a changing climate

  This consultation document brings together and updates the previous Planning and Climate Change supplement to PPS1 with the 2004 PPS22 on Renewable Energy into a new draft PPS which will become a consolidated supplement to PPS1. The intention was to provide a much clearer policy framework for planners.

  Added on: 8 June 2010
  

• LGA Environment Bulletin - May 2010

  Sixth issue of the LGA Environment Bulletin

  Added on: 20 May 2010
  

• Flood and Water Management Act 2010 - LGA Briefing - 15 April 2010

  The Flood and Water Management Act received Royal Assent on 8th April 2010. The Act aims to improve both flood risk management and the way we manage our water resources.

  Added on: 16 April 2010
  

• Soil Framework Directive

  The Soil Framework Directive seeks to establish a framework for the protection and sustainable use of soil. Local government has an important role to play in ensuring the sustainable use of soil and protecting soil from erosion, flooding and climatic change, and that it is free from contamination.

  Added on: 30 March 2010
  

• The Household Energy Management Strategy “Warmer Homes, Greener Homes”

  This strategy sets out the Government’s ambitions for improving home energy efficiency, rolling out cleaner energy and helping reduce fuel poverty. The objectives in the strategy are due to begin in 2012 be delivered by 2020.

  Added on: 30 March 2010
  

• The LGA response to the consultation on permitted development rights for small scale renewable and low carbon energy technologies, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure

  The LGA supports including small scale renewables as permitted development as this will assist householders in generating their own electricity via their own renewable energy installations.

  Added on: 30 March 2010
  

• LGA response to the consultation on extending the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)

  The LGA views the extension of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) until 2012 as an opportunity to prepare the industry, energy companies, social housing providers and local authorities for the targets and objectives set out in the Household Energy Management Strategy (HEM).

  Added on: 30 March 2010
  

• LGA response to consultation on zero carbon for new non-domestic buildings

  The government has set a welcome but demanding zero carbon delivery trajectory. The LGA believes that high thresholds for energy efficiency must be a feature of all zero carbon buildings and welcome an ambitious alignment with Building Regulation as far as is technically and economically viable.

  Added on: 23 March 2010
  

• Warm Homes, Greener Homes: A Strategy for Household Energy Management -LGA Briefing – 3 March 2010

  The Government published yesterday its Household Energy Management strategy setting out its ambitions for improving home energy efficiency, rolling out cleaner energy and helping reduce fuel poverty. This LGA briefing summarises the strategy and details the LGA's response.

  Added on: 3 March 2010
  

• The Climate Challenge – local solutions through global learning

  The LGA has long advocated the key role of councils in fighting climate change: local government has the in-depth knowledge of local areas and the ability to unite and lead people to make the changes needed in response t the climate challenge.

  Added on: 30 November 2009
  

• Flood Risk Management Checklist

  This new resource from the LGA Group provides an introduction to flood risk management and a checklist for local authorities on working strategically with partners to manage local flood risks.

  Added on: 20 November 2009
  

• Commitment to a good waste and recycling service

  The LGA and WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) have today jointly launched the Waste Collection Commitment, and are urging local authorities to become early adopters.

  Added on: 16 September 2009
  

• Subsidising buses: How to get the best from taxpayers’ money

  Taxpayers are bankrolling the bus industry in England. Subsidy has risen by half in ten years, to £2½ billion in 2007/08, amounting to over half the turnover of the industry. There is therefore a strong case for investing public money in improving the quality, frequency and coverage of local bus services.

  Added on: 7 August 2009
  

• UK Low Carbon Transition Plan White Paper

  Government this week launched their series of strategies to deliver carbon emission cuts of 18% on 2008 levels by 2020. Five strategies have been released, including a Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, a Renewable Energy Strategy, and a Low Carbon Transport Strategy.

  Added on: 23 July 2009
  

• From Kyoto to Kettering, Copenhagen to Croydon: local government’s manifesto for building low-carbon communities

  Local authorities have an absolutely crucial and pivotal role in tackling climate change. Our new manifesto sets out the framework – and specific policies – needed to enable local government to develop low carbon communities. If central government gives local government the adequate framework and resources to deliver, councils can take on the responsibility for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change at the local level.

  Added on: 15 July 2009