Local councils are trusted the most to take action on climate change and make a difference in local areas on reducing carbon emissions, according to new polling by the Local Government Association.
The LGA’s survey found 40% of residents trusted their council most to address the climate emergency, followed by the Government (28% and world leaders (15%).
This follows concerns that the critical importance of local government is being side-lined after it was excluded from the latest draft COP26 agreement.
Councils know their villages, towns and cities best, and are working with local communities to improve lives on a daily basis. The LGA says this is where councils can play a fundamental role in tackling climate change.
The findings come as COP26 today holds a dedicated local and regional government day – the Cities, Regions and the Built Environment Day – as called for by the LGA.
The LGA, which represents councils, wants the Government to use the summit in Glasgow to enhance the role of councils, providing the powers and funding to decarbonise building stock, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport and deliver clean energy projects.
It has set out an ambitious plan for councils to deliver green infrastructure projects in local communities.
Cllr James Jamieson, LGA Chairman, said: “Today is an important day at COP26, as attention turns to local leaders who are on the frontline in the fight against climate change.
“As leaders of local communities, it will be local governments in our cities, towns and rural areas across the world who will be driving the collective action required to address the climate emergency. As it stands, the draft COP26 agreement text does not include reference to the essential role of local government around the world in responding to climate change. This needs to change.
“The Prime Minister rightly said we are at ‘one minute to midnight’ and time is fast running out. This is why it is vital the Government acts fast and uses COP26 to give councils the powers and resources to deliver the green infrastructure projects that will make a difference in local communities and help achieve net zero by 2050, if not sooner.
“Our ambitious plan shows how councils can go further and faster tackling climate change, and as our polling shows, councils are the ones who are trusted the most to get on and deliver for their residents.
“Councils are rooted in their places where people live their lives and businesses do their business, and know their communities better than anyone else. This is why they are best-placed to lead the way towards a net zero future.”
