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Getting Started

KEY OUTPUTS FOR THIS STAGE are the establishment of a Project Leader and Core Team that are backed by high level political and managerial support. You should also have agreed a programme and timetable for completing the Action Plan.

This stage focuses on obtaining senior management and political support for the Action Plan, identifying key staff for implementation, allocating resources to prepare the plan, and agreeing on the aims, commitments and responsibilities necessary for successful preparation of the plan. Below we suggest seven steps for getting started, but please modify this approach to suit your authority's circumstances.

Checklist

1. Secure support from the executive cabinet and senior management

2. Build a team to develop the Action Plan

3. Recruit project sponsors

4. Undertake initial training

5. Agree a programme and confirm contributions

6. Keep everyone informed

7. Consider working with a wider partnership

Just concentrating on mitigation in your own estate?

If your authority has decided to initially concentrate on developing a mitigation action plan for reducing emissions from your own estate (see estate manager), then as an alternative you could follow the Carbon Trust's Local Authority Carbon Management Toolkit. The toolkit recommends the same five stages as the advice on this website, but concentrates purely on mitigation in your own estate. The Carbon Trust can also offer local authorities technical and change management support to reduce emissions under the control of the local authority such as buildings, vehicle fleets, street lighting and landfill sites. Participating councils benefit from consultant support in the form of workshops and limited dedicated support tailored around the 5 Step process. See the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme.

Resources

1. Powerpoint presentation on Why we need a Climate Change Action Plan [download]

2. Briefing on Why we need a Climate Change Action Plan [download]

3. Powerpoint presentation on preparing a climate change action plan [download]

4. Briefing on preparing a climate change action plan [download]

5. Carbon Trust's Local Authority Carbon Management Toolkit

Case studies

The case studies below describe how councils and local strategic partnerships have developed climate change and sustainable energy plans and strategies.

1. Dorset County Council

2. Be Birmingham (the LSP)

3. Lincoln City Council

4. Devon County Council

5. Worcestershire County Council

6. Bristol City Council

7. East Riding of Yorkshire

8. Shropshire County Council

9. Sustainable energy beacon councils -