Developing a local authority Climate Change Action Plan

Climate change is now at the top of the political agenda and Local Authorities have a crucial role to play in responding to the challenge posed. Tackling climate change requires that we reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases (Mitigation) and adapt to the changes in climate that will occur (Adaptation). By developing a coherent approach to mitigation and adaptation, Councils can also benefit in terms of saving energy and money, improving overall environmental performance, enhancing the living conditions of local residents and protecting local people from the threats posed by our changing climate.

What action can your Authority take to address Climate Change?
Councils can act in three main ways to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases and help their community adapt to the impacts of climate change. You can act:
As an Estate Manager - Local Authorities are large employers and major consumers of energy and other resources. Through better management of transport and buildings, Councils can cut emissions and save money. You can also consider how their estate can be better adapted to the changing climate.
As Service Providers - For all the services your Local Authority provides, from Emergency Planning to Social Care, Councils can ensure that the impacts of climate change are properly taken into account and emissions are cut as far as possible.
As Community Leaders - through the Community Plan and Community Planning Partnership, Local Authorities can work with other public and private agencies and the wider community to help cut the overall emissions of their area and develop an integrated response to climate change adaptation. Councils can also form direct partnerships with others in the community to address climate change.

With the support provided in the online resource, your local authority can develop and implement a Climate Change Action Plan, with guidance through five stages to address both Mitigation and Adaptation:

1. Getting started
2. Assess current and likely future situation
3. Develop strategic approach
4. Prepare an action plan
5. Implementation

However you choose to approach the preparation of the Action Plan, this resource can help guide you through the process. For each stage of the process guidance is provided for both adaptation and mitigation, and for the steps you will need to take to address climate change as an estate manager, service provider and community leader. It should be noted that there are some common themes across different strands of the resource, to ensure that all advice is available whichever strand you are using as guidance. There are also differences between the guidance provided however and if you are seeking to develop a response to more than one strand (e.g. for Council Services and Estate) then you should refer to the guidance provided for each.

Choose from the following:

• Community leader
• Manage your estate
• Service provider