Coming soon: new report on local authorities and climate mitigation
CAG Consultants is in the process of completing a new report for the Climate Change Committee (CCC). The CCC commissioned this work to explore how local authorities can support climate mitigation and help the United Kingdom (UK) meet future carbon budgets.
The document outlines the Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget and details the roles, actions, and challenges for local authorities across the UK in achieving net zero emissions by 2050 through sector-specific strategies in residential and non-residential buildings, surface transport, electricity supply, agriculture and land use, waste management, and industry, emphasising electrification, energy efficiency, planning, procurement, public engagement, partnerships, and innovation as critical components of local delivery aligned with national targets and policies
Key insights
Local authorities are system organisers, not just delivery bodies
Councils do not control many national levers, but they can join up action across housing, transport, energy, waste, planning and land use. This makes their coordination role central to meeting the Seventh Carbon Budget.
Heat decarbonisation is the main practical challenge
The report shows a major shift is needed from gas and oil heating to heat pumps and heat networks. Heat pumps need to rise from around 1% of homes in 2023 to around half by 2040 and 80% by 2050. This requires stronger council action on housing, planning, public advice and skills.
Electrification depends on grid readiness
Heat pumps, electric vehicles and industrial electrification all depend on a much larger, cleaner electricity system. Demand could more than double by 2050, so Local Area Energy Plans, grid upgrades and coordination with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) are critical.
The main barriers are funding, capacity and governance
The report gives many good examples of local action, but the bigger issue is scaling them. Short-term funding, limited council capacity, weak data and unclear roles risk holding back delivery.
Several measures need public consent, not just technical delivery
Modal shift, heat pumps, new energy infrastructure, changes in land use and reduced livestock numbers all affect daily life, places and livelihoods. Councils will need clear evidence, careful engagement and visible benefits to keep support.
The full report will be published soon. We will share a link when it becomes available.