UK local authorities are ramping up climate ambition in the face
of ongoing environmental risks and funding challenges, according
to new insights from CDP – the non-profit which runs the world's
independent environmental disclosure system for companies,
cities, states and regions.
The report, "From disclosure to action: Strengthening climate and
economic resilience in UK communities", is based on the responses
of a record 104 local authorities [1] that disclosed their
climate data through CDP-ICLEI Track in 2024, a rise of 52% on
2023.
With the UK's GDP at risk of shrinking by more than 7% by 2050
due to climate-related disruptions [2], local authorities have a
central role to play in taking Earth-positive action and
surfacing critical data for decision-making by communities,
policymakers and the market.
The 104 local authorities represent 59% of the country's
population, 55% of its greenhouse gas emissions and 53% of its
GDP. All of them have an area-wide emissions reduction target,
and almost all (96%) have a clear, actionable climate action plan
to meet it, compared to just 58% in 2018, showing the clear
commitment and ambition among local authorities to tackling the
climate crisis.
Extreme heat and flooding are the most reported climate hazards
across the UK, and pose severe consequences for local
communities, homes, transport networks and public health. The
most at-risk groups are elderly people (identified by 89% of
local authorities), people with vulnerable health (87%) and
low-income households (86%). More broadly, 83% of local
authorities identified the potential of these climate hazards to
cause a shutdown of essential human health and social work.
Despite these risks, local climate action is delivering a wide
range of co-benefits, from reduced fuel and energy poverty to
increased energy security and job creation, demonstrating the
clear, cross-cutting value of local environmental
leadership.
However, funding remains a significant barrier. Nearly half the
local authorities (48%) cited budgetary capacity as the most
significant challenge to adaptation. 69 of them disclosed a total
of 333 climate infrastructure projects in need of investment.
Together, these projects represent £67 billion in value, with £27
billion identified as immediate funding needs.
Without stable, long-term financial support to cut emissions,
strengthen resilience, and support communities, local authorities
– often on the frontline of delivery – struggle to plan and
implement climate measures at the pace and scale required.
Hanah Paik, Interim Director of Cities, States and
Regions at CDP, said:
“The UK is already experiencing the impacts of a changing
climate: more frequent heatwaves, heavier rainfall, and an
increased risk of flooding. These events are not abstract -
they're affecting infrastructure, local economies, and the
well-being of communities across the country. It's encouraging to
see so many local authorities stepping up with clear climate
targets and actionable plans, building the resilience needed to
protect lives and livelihoods.
“But ambition alone isn't enough. Local authorities have
identified hundreds of climate projects, yet nearly half face
major funding barriers, hindering implementation. Without
consistent, long-term investment, we risk slowing the pace of
local progress and missing national climate goals. If we want
thriving, resilient communities and an Earth-positive future, we
must back local action with the financial support it needs to
succeed.”
UK local authorities make up nearly a quarter of CDP's 2024 Cities, States
and Regions A List revealed last week, further demonstrating
the country's leadership on environmental transparency and action
on a global scale.
Examples of local UK climate action:
Manchester City Council: The retrofitting of 700
council-owned social housing units is projected to reduce the
city of Manchester's carbon emissions by up to 2,000 tonnes
annually.
Birmingham City Council: The development of
Tyseley Energy Park integrates low and zero-carbon technologies
to tackle key urban challenges related to power generation,
heating, transportation, and waste management, while leveraging
regional transport infrastructure and a network of 230 local
businesses.
Brighton & Hove City Council: Since 2017,
Brighton & Hove has implemented a large-scale LED replacement
program under its Invest to Save initiative. More than 18,000
streetlights have been upgraded, resulting in a 48.1% reduction
in electricity usage and a 78.1% decrease in emissions by April
2024.
Greater London Authority (GLA): The GLA expanded
its Business Climate Challenge in 2023, inviting over 200
workplaces to reduce their energy usage by 10%. Participants have
so far achieved an average 7% energy reduction and 1.6 tonnes
CO2e savings, with an average cost saving of £2,840.
- ENDS -
Notes to Editors:
The report will be published on CDP's website at 00:01 BST on 5
June, at this link: https://www.cdp.net/en/insights/from-disclosure-to-action
[1] The list of UK local authorities publicly disclosing their
climate data through CDP-ICLEI Track in 2024 can be found in the
report.
[2] www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/news/new-study-finds-cutting-greenhouse-gas-emissions-to-net-zero-will-save-significant-damage-to-the-uk-economy/
