Action by local authorities
- Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA)
- Guidance on climate change mitigation and fuel poverty
- Local Government Joint Environmental Prospectus
- Performance framework for local government
Local government has a vital part to play in combating climate change, local authorities can: promote renewable energy and greater energy efficiency through their roles in local planning, transport, housing and education; reach out to their wider communities and encourage other local service providers to take action.
Home Energy Conservation Act
HECA requires every UK local authority with housing responsibilities to prepare, publish and submit to the Secretary of State an energy conservation report identifying practicable and cost-effective measures to significantly improve the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in their area; and to report on progress.
Guidance on climate change mitigation and fuel poverty
- Energy Measures Report (on BERR website)
The report which was published in September 2007 sets out the steps that local authorities can take to:
- improve energy efficiency;
- increase the levels of microgeneration and low carbon technologies;
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
- reduce the number of households living in fuel poverty
Local authorities will have to ‘have regard’ to the report when exercising their functions.
Local Government Joint Environmental Prospectus
On 5 July 2007 Environment Secretary Hilary Benn launched the new Defra Local Government Environmental Prospectus. This is a practical checklist which sets out how local authorities can tackle climate change. The prospectus and further details can be found at the link below.
New Local Government Performance Framework - further technical work on climate change mitigation indicators
The Local Government White Paper (published in October 2006) set out a new performance framework for local government.
Page last modified: 18 September 2008
Page published: 11 July 2007