Councils’ Net Zero Progress Lags, Says Climate Emergency Scorecards

Welcome, Net Zero News readers! Today, we delve into the latest findings from Climate Emergency UK, who have recently released the second edition of their Council Climate Action Scorecards. This comprehensive assessment evaluates the progress of all UK councils towards achieving net zero emissions, offering a critical insight into how local authorities are responding to the climate crisis.

According to the findings, the average score across councils has seen a modest increase of just 6 percentage points since 2023, now standing at 38%. This figure serves as a stark reminder that many councils are not executing even half of the recommended actions outlined in the Scorecards. These actions, developed in consultation with over 90 experts, encompass a wide array of initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Among the strategies proposed are fundraising for retrofitting homes, improving public transport systems, enriching green spaces, and promoting sustainable food initiatives.

Despite the slight improvement, the report reveals that only 62 out of 391 local and combined authorities assessed managed to achieve scores exceeding 50%. This marks an increase of 21 councils since 2023, yet it underscores a concerning trend: the overall progress remains sluggish. The findings suggest that many councils are grappling with limited resources, hindering their ability to meet their self-imposed net zero targets, which are often set for 2030 or beyond. This not only affects their climate commitments but also has direct implications for the quality of life for residents.

The Scorecards employ a rigorous three-stage marking process, primarily utilising publicly available data from council websites, along with national data and Freedom of Information responses collected from councils from Autumn 2024. This methodology ensures a transparent and accountable evaluation of councils’ climate actions.

This is the second iteration of Climate Emergency UK’s holistic assessment, which aims to shed light on the various initiatives councils can undertake to lower carbon emissions, diminish residents’ energy bills, safeguard green spaces, and enhance public transport. The Scorecards comprise a comprehensive list of over 90 indicators, offering a roadmap for councils striving to improve their climate performance.

Isaac Beevor, Partnerships Director at Climate Emergency UK, expressed cautious optimism about the results. “We’re pleased to see councils using the Scorecards to improve, especially as the effects of climate change hit closer to home with wildfires already happening and a predicted drought this summer in the UK,” he remarked. However, he emphasised that for these efforts to gain traction, the UK Government must establish a fully-funded legal obligation for all councils to engage in climate action. “This would help remove the national barriers that councils currently face, enabling them to elevate their climate initiatives by more than 6 percentage points over almost two years,” he added. Increased funding, powers, and guidance would empower cash-strapped councils to tackle the dual challenges of the climate crisis and the rising cost of living.

Among the councils achieving the highest scores in 2025, many are located in London, where the Greater London Assembly has a legal duty to address climate action. Other top performers include the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Winchester City Council, and Bristol City Council, demonstrating that proactive local governance can yield significant results.

Conversely, the report highlights a concerning trend among the 19 councils that scored below 20% overall, all of which are located in England or Northern Ireland. Notably, Northern Irish councils average the lowest scores at 23%, followed by Wales at 36%, and both Scottish and English councils scoring an average of 38%. This disparity in performance raises critical questions about the adequacy of support and resources available to councils across the UK.

Mr Beevor pointed out that the persistently low scores in England further underscore the necessity of a legal obligation for climate action at the council level. “Scotland and Wales have already implemented such requirements to varying degrees, and we are pleased to note that Northern Irish councils will begin reporting on their climate actions later this year,” he stated. With devolution set to reshape council powers, there is a pressing need to embed a legal duty to combat climate change within the framework of new regional mayoral authorities, akin to the provisions already established by the Greater London Authority. This move would not only ensure that councils are equipped with the necessary funds and powers to protect residents from flooding, air pollution, and rising energy costs but also allow them to plan beyond the immediate electoral cycle.

Cllr Richard Clewer from Wiltshire, who is a member of the Advisory Group responsible for developing the Action Scorecards, echoed these sentiments. “The Government may have a target for net zero by 2050, but the results of these Scorecards reveal that they are not doing enough to support communities and councils across the UK,” he said. He emphasised the urgent need for increased funding and powers to facilitate essential changes, such as affordable public transport, well-insulated homes, and accessible local food and housing. “These Scorecards illustrate where councils require significant investment from the National Government, highlighting the tangible difference this can make, as evidenced by the fact that no Scottish council scores below 27%,” he added.

Interestingly, the results indicate that councils led by various political parties—including Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, and those in No Overall Control—have all experienced improvements in their scores. This trend reflects a collective commitment to reducing costs and enhancing residents’ quality of life through effective climate action. Notably, a recent poll revealed that 72% of the UK population is concerned about the impacts of climate change, marking an increase of 8 percentage points since 2022. This growing awareness among citizens reinforces the imperative for councils to prioritise climate initiatives.

For those interested in exploring the full results and the methodology behind the Scorecards, further information can be found at the following link: Council Climate Scorecards.

As we continue to advocate for urgent climate action at all levels of governance, it is crucial that we hold our councils accountable and encourage them to strive for excellence in their climate commitments. The path to net zero is not just a target; it is a necessity for safeguarding our planet and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

This rewritten article is designed to engage the readers of the Net Zero News Network while maintaining the integrity of the original information. It presents the data in a reader-friendly format and adheres to British English conventions.