In a report published on Friday it said local authorities have an essential part to play in decarbonisation, including in relation to transport where they are responsible for the vast majority of roads and hold crucial influence over local bus provision, walking and cycling, and on street charging facilities for electric vehicles.

However head of the NAO Gareth Davies said: “There are serious weaknesses in Government's approach to working with local authorities on net zero, stemming from a lack of clarity over roles and responsibilities and piecemeal funding. This hampers local authorities’ ability to plan effectively for the long term, build skills and capacity, and prioritise effort.”

The report adds that without a clear sense of responsibilities and priorities, there is a risk that local authority action on net zero is ‘not as coordinated, targeted or widespread as it might need to be’.

It also describes the financial position of local government as a cause for concern and says central Government should carry out an analysis of the net zero funding available to councils to inform the next Comprehensive Spending Review.

At the least, authorities will need the spending power to decarbonise their own buildings and the social housing they own, and to build the skills to incorporate net zero into their existing functions such as transport planning, it says.

Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport president Paula Hewitt commented: “Currently, funding for net zero work is fragmented and local authorities need certainty, resources and the ability to develop the necessary skills. We must have effective action at the local level.”

Local Government Association environment spokesman Darren Rodwell said: “By working in partnership with national Government, councils are uniquely placed to shape their local areas and translate national climate ambitions into transformative action on the ground.”

He added: “Net zero can only be achieved if decarbonisation happens in every place, community and household. Long term funding for councils would mean they can properly plan ahead on the needs of their local communities as a whole to support this.”

A spokesman from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said: “The Government recognises that councils can help drive progress towards our national climate change commitments, and we will set out details of how we will work with them to reach net zero in our Net Zero Strategy.”

The strategy is expected to be published ahead of this autumn’s COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow. “We have already provided billions in funding for councils to deliver local action on climate change,” the spokesman added.

Also this week, Highways England has revealed its new carbon plan which includes an ambition to reduce emissions from its construction and maintenance activities to net zero by 2040. The strategic road network operator also promises to cut carbon from its own operations by 2030, including through electrifying its fleet of vehicles.

These targets come ahead of a pledge for all vehicles travelling on motorways and major A roads to be net zero by 2050, with the development of a plan for electric vehicle charging infrastructure among key actions in Highways England’s current spending period.

(Photograph: Giancarlo Liguori - Shutterstock)

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