A survey from the Local Government Association has found that local efforts to reach net zero targets are being made harder by the current funding system of bidding for short term allocations.
According to the findings of the survey, councils are having their climate action potential inhibited by the hard-to-reach nature of government funding. This includes the fact that a quarter of councils are not granted net zero funding, 60% have been dissuaded from bidding due to the time and resources needed to apply for funding, 83% are also concerned by the excessive bureaucratic burden that relates to national funding pots.
It was also identified that 90% of councils are under the impression that there is not a sufficient funding plan in place to ensure that net zero is delivered by 2050, whilst three-quarters believe that the bureaucracy and uncertainty of government investment is putting off private investors. With this in mind, the Local Government Association is calling on the government to support climate action in local councils, with this supporting the achievement of net zero by 2050.
By achieving net zero locally, it can reduce the cost, whilst also delivering three times the financial returns, according to the LGA.
Environment Spokesperson for the LGA, Cllr Darren Rodwell, commented:
“Councils are leading transformative projects across the country, but their innovation is being strangled by the national approach to the transition to net zero.
“We must rise to the challenge of climate change. With an impact on over 80% of emissions from their area – from transport and housing to renewable energy, government will not reach net zero without empowering councils to deliver local climate action in every village, town, and city.
“With the right support, local areas could deliver net zero quicker and for less money, while boosting the local economy and ensuring local people benefit.”
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