Political parties unite for climate action.
In the lead-up to the local elections across the UK, council leaders representing England’s major political parties have joined forces to demonstrate solidarity in the fight against climate change.
This unprecedented display of cross-party unity by local leaders from the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green parties aims to prioritise climate action over political allegiances. The objective is to combat the surge of local climate misinformation effectively. This collaborative effort has been sparked by the ‘Taking the heat out of local climate action’ pledge, which is being spearheaded by UK100, a cross-party network of local leaders dedicated to environmental initiatives, in partnership with the Mission Zero Coalition.
The pledge is currently open for signatures and has garnered support from prominent leaders such as Cllr Richard Clewer, the Conservative Leader of Wiltshire Council; Cllr Bev Craig, the Labour Leader of Manchester City Council; Cllr Tim Adams, the Liberal Democrat Leader of North Norfolk District Council; and Cllr Zoe Nicholson, the Green Party Leader of Lewes District Council.
Richard Clewer, the Leader of Wiltshire Council and UK100 Co-President, emphasised the importance of community engagement in the journey towards achieving net zero:
“Achieving net zero will necessitate significant changes, but involving residents and businesses in transparent and open conversations is crucial. Wiltshire is poised to lead by example in actively engaging communities as partners in climate action.”
By endorsing the pledge, local leaders are committing to a range of actions, including:
- Advocating for climate action as a non-partisan issue that requires a collaborative approach
- Promoting evidence-based climate discussions by countering misinformation and highlighting the benefits of climate policies while addressing legitimate concerns
- Collaborating with the government, businesses, and civil society to facilitate the delivery of inclusive and fair solutions
- Involving residents, civil society, and businesses in co-creating local climate action plans
- Evaluating climate initiatives with the understanding that progress is a collective effort that thrives on improving implementation.
The release of the ‘Zero In – Accelerating Local Climate Action’ report by UK100 has raised concerns about the escalating misinformation and wavering government support, underscoring the potential impact on net zero and climate projects as decisive factors in the forthcoming May local elections. Chris Skidmore OBE, former Energy Minister and Chair of the Independent Review of Net Zero and Mission Zero Coalition, conveyed his thoughts during the launch of the pledge:
“Local authorities are the unsung heroes in the transition to Net Zero. They are tirelessly implementing the necessary changes, from upgrading homes to enhancing public transport.
“However, they cannot achieve this alone. The pledge sends a powerful message that local leaders are united in their dedication to confronting the climate crisis. The crucial next step is to witness a similar collaborative spirit from Westminster, with a clear policy and funding framework to empower local implementation.”
Several other leaders from locations such as Lancaster, Southampton, Westminster, and Cardiff have also expressed their support for the pledge.
