What can councils do?

Local authorities have a central role in leading society's response to the challenge of climate change, by:-

• Helping communities to become resilient to more extreme weather events

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their own buildings, services and the community

Having a climate change action plan or plans will help ensure that your council is taking a strategic and comprehensive approach.

Taking a systematic approach to climate change will ensure that the right people are involved and have the backing of senior management and Elected Members. It will also provide evidence that your local authority is actively addressing climate change.

Tackling climate change through councils- three roles

Councils can support adaptation and mitigation through their roles as:

• Estate Managers

• Service Providers

• Community Leaders

Click on the links above to see some inspiring examples of local authority actions in these areas.

Preparing a climate change action plan

By signing the Nottingham Declaration, councils make a commitment to "within the next two years develop plans with our partners and local communities to progressively address the causes and the impacts of climate change." The Developing an Action Plan section of this website offers guidance on how to develop a Climate Change Action Plan or Plans, with examples of what other local authorities have tried. You can also find links to local climate change strategies and plans.

If you want to find out what advice is available for specific council services and corporate functions, along with examples of action by local authorities, then click on the relevant heading under Advice for Council Services.