In your editorial (The Guardian view on councils in need: voters should be told what the parties’ plans are, 23 June), you fail to mention perhaps the most acute challenge of all facing local governments – the race to net zero. While crises in housing, social care and education are already affecting communities up and down the country, these will all be exacerbated by the looming challenges of soaring energy costs, rising temperatures and biodiversity loss.
Reaching net zero is arguably the biggest issue facing the public sector, and is probably the biggest it will ever face. Local authorities, which best understand local residents’ needs, are at the frontline when it comes to dealing with the impacts and tackling the challenges ahead.
Investing in the local generation of renewable power is a step in the right direction. However, for this to work we need to acknowledge that planning permissions for grid upgrades and procurement for major energy projects all pass through underresourced and underfunded councils. To truly succeed, we need clear regulations that give local authorities the devolved powers to create new investment ecosystems for renewable energy, based on local needs, and a transparent plan for how to make this happen.
Key Cities, a cross-party group of urban local authorities representing about 10% of the country’s population, is calling for the next government to redefine the role of local government in achieving net zero.
Let’s not underestimate the role of local authorities in delivering a sustainable future for the UK and the real need for proper support in taking on this task.
Cllr John Merry
Chair, Key Cities; deputy mayor, Salford city council
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