LONDON, 8 JULY — UK100 welcomes the new Government’s swift action to lift the onshore wind ban, which comes during Net Zero Week 2024.

On World Environment Day (5 June), a new survey reveals that 88% of local authorities support the next government introducing a statutory Net Zero duty for councils if accompanied by the necessary powers and funding to drive delivery.

77% of those surveyed also feel the upcoming general election is the last chance to support local authorities to keep the UK's climate goals on track.

The surveyed local authorities are part of the 113-strong UK100 network, the UK's only network of local authority leaders committed to ambitious climate action.

Following a challenging local election night for the government and a High Court ruling that the UK's climate plan is unlawful, UK100 is calling on Ministers to abandon their "retreat from climate leadership" and empower local leaders to deliver on the UK's climate ambitions.

The High Court ruling comes just days after UK Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho's controversial speech, which argued for a hands-off approach to the Net Zero transition and was disrupted by protesters accusing the government of undermining its climate commitments.

UK100 is urging the government to work in partnership with local authorities to develop a comprehensive Net Zero delivery framework that maximises the potential of local climate action to create jobs, boost economies, and improve lives across the UK.

UK100 responds to the climate and local government measures announced in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday, 22 November.

UK100 responds to the climate and local government measures announced in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday, 22 November.

UK100 responds to the climate and local government measures (or lack thereof) announced in the King's Speech on Tuesday, 7 November.

UK100 responds to the Prime Minister's announcement that the Government plans to row back on several key Net Zero policies.

Christopher Hammond, Membership Director and former leader of Southampton City Council, appointed new UK100 Chief Executive.

Founder and former Chief Executive, Polly Billington, has stepped down to campaign as the parliamentary candidate for the new seat of East Thanet.

Christopher Hammond calls for a “paradigm shift away from centralised decision-making”.

On ’Green Day’ we hoped to see a plan for Net Zero delivery that understands, as the Government’s Independent Mission Zero report did, that local authorities are the key to achieving Net Zero in the UK. Our hopes, however, have been dashed on the ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams.’ Today’s announcements fall far short of unlocking the ambition and ability within local government to go further and faster in delivering Net Zero.

Responding to the Spring Budget, UK100 welcomes the short-term energy bill relief but reiterates its call for a long-term solution, targeted at the most vulnerable.