Responding to Government’s 10-point plan for a “green industrial
revolution”, Cllr David Renard, the Local Government
Association's environment and transport spokesman, said:
“We are pleased with the investments and support for
developing the low carbon economy announced today. Net-zero can
only be achieved with decarbonisation happening in every place
across the country – that’s every household, community and local
economy. Councils share the ambition for a green revolution and
want to work with government and businesses to establish a
national fiscal and policy framework for addressing the climate
emergency, supported with long term funding.
“Electric vehicles play an important part in improving air
quality and reducing dependency on fossil fuels, as well as
improving the health of our residents and the environment in our
local communities. The plan to bring forward the ban on selling
new petrol and diesel cars to 2030 is also a positive step, but
the Government needs to be clear what role councils have in
delivering new infrastructure.
“Our recent research found that nearly 700,000 jobs could
be created in England’s low-carbon and renewable energy economy
by 2030, rising to more than one million by 2050. An integrated
and devolved approach to the development of skills is urgently
needed and our Work Local proposals set out the steps for handing
funding and powers over skills to local areas.”
Notes to editors
At least 230 local authorities have declared a climate
emergency and nearly two thirds of councils in England aim to be
carbon neutral 20 years before the national target.
