Climate change and energy

Latest news and analysis

• New guide to the UK Climate Projections

  The LGA has published a new guide, aimed at elected members, as part of its ‘Be aware, be prepared, take action’ series.

  Added on: 1 February 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
  

• Weathering the storm: dealing with adverse winter weather conditions in the UK

  Councils have been reviewing their winter service plans in the light of last year’s experience. This report results from that experience. It examines what happened, the extent of the impact on transport networks and implications for services and businesses. It also looks at how councils, central government, individuals and businesses responded, and makes recommendations for how we can be better prepared in the future.

  Added on: 30 October 2009
  

• LGA response to the consultation Financial Incentives for Renewable Energy (October 2009)

  In the consultation response, the LGA supported incentivising the generation of electricity from renewable sources through feed-in tariffs. However, the LGA also highlighted that the installation of renewable energy technologies still requires high capital investment to install the technology, and some form of capital grant support is still needed.

  Added on: 23 October 2009
  

• Smart metering for the domestic sector - LGA response to the consultation

  Government has been consulting on how smart metering should be rolled out across the UK. A smart meter is a meter that communicates energy consumption, in real-time, to the energy supplier and to a display that can be set up in the home.

  Added on: 1 August 2009
  

• Floods cash ‘not enough’

  More than 70 councils are to receive between £75,000 and £300,000 each to help prevent flooding in their local areas.

  Added on: 20 August 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
  

• LGA, WLGA, LACORS response to the heat and energy saving strategy (HES) (May 2009)

  The heat and energy saving strategy (HES) aspires to refurbish every home in the country by 2030. This is a major challenge requiring a range of policies, incentives and support. It also requires a range of partners to deliver.

  Added on: 14 May 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
  

• Cutting through the green tape III: The economy or the environment – do I need to choose?

  To encourage the view that local authorities are key players in the effort to reduce carbon emissions, and encourage councillors of the importance of the climate change agenda, the LGA has produced the leaflet called ‘Cutting through the Green Tape III: The economy or the environment – do I need to choose?’

  Added on: 17 July 2009
  

• How to save energy, conserve water and reduce waste in your home

  LGA have produced, jointly with EST, a version of their energy saving in the home leaflet which councils can download and tailor to their local services.

  Added on: 13 July 2009
  

• LGA / LEP joint response the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)

  LGA / LEP joint response to Consultation on the Draft Order to Implement the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) The LGA and London Energy Project (LEP) have issued a joint response to the third and final DECC Consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment

  Added on: 10 June 2009
  

• LGA and WLGA response to the consultation on Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) (May 2009)

  Over the last year the LGA has been promoting the benefits of council-led community-based insulation schemes. Councils are uniquely placed to help residents reduce their carbon emissions and fuel bills.

  Added on: 16 July 2009
  

• LGA and WLGA response to the consultation on amendments to the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) (April 2009)

  To summarise our view, we agree that the carbon saving target on the energy suppliers should be increased.

  Added on: 20 July 2009
  

• Cutting through the green tape II: Preparing for the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)

  CRC is a new mandatory carbon cap and trade scheme scheduled to come into effect in April 2010. This document introduces the scheme and covers some of the policy and budgetary implications and also suggests some of the fundamental actions that your local authority needs to take now, to prepare for it.

  Added on: 29 May 2009
  

• Update on Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)

  The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is an obligatory emissions trading scheme covering non-energy intensive users in both public and private sectors. Please follow this link for further information on the scheme and how it will affect local authorities.

  Added on: 14 July 2009
  

• Social Housing Energy Saving Programme

  £83.8m of additional funding is available to help social landlords insulate cavity walls that would not otherwise be filled under the Decent Homes programme, by April 2011.

  Added on: 21 May 2009
  

• Update on Passive House and Local Authorities

  This update sets out how adopting a Passive House Approach to construction may help to delivery low to zero carbon policy objectives for Local Authorities.

  Added on: 7 May 2009
  

• Self Assessment guidance and matrix for NI 188 - Planning to adapt to climate change

  The data for National Indicator 188 (NI188) Planning to Adapt to Climate Change is provided through self assessment by the local authority and local strategic partnerships (LSP). The attached Defra document sets out the process for submitting this data.

  Added on: 20 April 2009
  

• LGA / WLGA response to Zero Carbon Homes and New Non-Domestic Buildings consultation (March 2009)

  This consultation proposes a definition of zero carbon new homes, based on high energy efficiency, on- or near-site carbon reduction, and allowable solutions for dealing with the remaining emissions. The paper also sets out current Government thinking on zero carbon new non-domestic buildings

  Added on: 20 March 2009
  

• Display Energy Certificates/ Energy Performance Certificates/ Air conditioning reports Framework Agreement user guidance

  These guidance notes are designed to help contracting organisations manage the process of completing the tender process to help create a framework agreement to provide Display Energy Certificates (DECs), Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Advisory Reports (ARs) for public buildings in England and Wales.

  Added on: 9 March 2009