Following a critical report from an influential committee of MPs that states the Government is struggling to hit its 2050 Net Zero target, groups have urged ministers to listen to what the industry is saying and work more closely with stakeholders.
The UK will struggle to reach the net zero target by 2050 unless Government steps up efforts to work together with local councils on climate action in areas such as housing and planning, low-carbon heating and energy efficiency, says the cross-party Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee in its report on local government and the path to net zero.
RIBA President Simon Allford said: “As these MPs state, there are significant gaps at both local and national level that must be addressed if the built environment sector is going to help push the UK towards net zero.
“We agree that local authorities have a huge role to play - especially because the retrofitting of housing is so crucial - and we support calls to introduce smarter tax incentives at a national level.
“With COP26 commencing in two days' time, I very much hope the Government returns from Glasgow with a renewed enthusiasm for an holistic green approach. Now, more than ever, we need a clear and coherent plan to decarbonise - a plan that includes for an adequately-funded National Retrofit Strategy.”
Cllr Darren Rodwell, environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said that councils understand the urgent need to tackle climate change and have been making active changes in their communities to benefit the environment.
“It is absolutely crucial that councils are at the forefront of the national response to climate change and we need the Government to work in partnership with local authorities to continue shaping local areas and help to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner,” he continued.
“The majority of councils have declared a climate emergency and many have been devising and implementing new ways of reducing their carbon footprint.
“Already we’ve seen waste collections getting more efficient and recycling rates increasing over the past decade; investment in flood defences; electric vehicle infrastructure improvements; and a focus on parks and green spaces, which create cleaner air in our communities and thriving habitats for wildlife.
“The position of councils as place-shapers, convenors of communities and businesses, asset-owners, problem solvers and with significant purchasing and market shaping powers, puts them at the forefront of delivering real, tangible changes in the transition to net zero.
“There is still a long way to go in our work to protect our planet, but if we are to hit national targets, councils will be at the core of that.”
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said it was positive to see themes of the Construction Leadership Council’s National Retrofit Strategy in this report, and he hoped the Government will listen to its conclusions.
“The Committee is right that without clear local delivery plans, a national retrofit strategy to decarbonise the UK’s 29million leaky and draft prone homes will not be achievable,” he added.
“I’m also pleased to see backing for tax incentives and Stamp Duty measures to nudge people towards greening their homes.”
