Action by local authorities is likely to be critical to the achievement of the Government's climate change objectives. 

Local authorities play a crucial role in tackling climate change, yet England has not introduced a statutory duty requiring them to act. While Scotland and Wales have taken legal steps to embed climate action into public bodies, England lags behind. This blog explores the history of climate statutory duties in the UK and the increasing demand for legal responsibilities.

Early Climate Legislation

The Climate Change Act 2008 was a landmark law making the UK the first country to adopt legally binding carbon reduction targets. Initially aiming for an 80% emissions reduction by 2050, this was later strengthened to net zero by 2050 in 2019. While the Act imposed national targets, it did not introduce statutory obligations for local authorities, leaving them without a clear legal mandate.

Statutory Climate Duties in the Devolved Nations

Unlike England, other parts of the UK have imposed legal duties on public bodies:

• Scotland: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires public bodies to act sustainably and reduce emissions.
• Wales: The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and Environment (Wales) Act 2016 mandate climate action for public bodies.
• Northern Ireland: The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets net zero targets but lacks statutory duties for public bodies.

The Role of English Public Bodies

While English local authorities lack a statutory climate duty, some public bodies have specific responsibilities:

• The NHS: The Health and Care Act 2022 requires the NHS to contribute to climate change mitigation.
• The Greater London Authority (GLA): The Greater London Authority Act 1999 and the updated in 2007 mandates climate policies in development plans.

Despite these, there is no legal requirement for all English public bodies to take climate action.

Attempts to Introduce a Climate Duty

The Climate and Ecology Bill

Introduced by Green MP Caroline Lucas in 2019 and later reintroduced as the Climate and Nature Bill, this sought legally binding climate and biodiversity targets. It has faced repeated parliamentary blockages.

The Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill

Proposed by Lord Krebs in 2024, this aimed to establish a statutory duty for public bodies to meet climate goals but has struggled to progress in Parliament.

Growing Calls for a Climate Statutory Duty

The momentum for a statutory climate duty has been steadily growing across councils, sectors, and government bodies. Leading council organizations, including ADEPT, London Councils, the District Council Network, and the LGA Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board, have increasingly recognized the need for a clear legal mandate. These bodies argue that voluntary commitments are insufficient and that a duty would provide local authorities with the necessary authority and resources to take decisive action.

Beyond councils, climate advocacy groups such as Climate Emergency UK, CDP, UK100, and the Mission Zero Coalition have reinforced the urgency of embedding climate responsibilities into law. These organisations have highlighted the disparity between councils with ambitious climate plans and those lagging behind, emphasizing that a statutory duty would ensure fairness and consistency across all local authorities.

Government-level reports have also strengthened this call. Chris Skidmore’s Net Zero Review provided a compelling case for giving local authorities a stronger role in the UK’s climate strategy, recommending that climate action be embedded into statutory responsibilities. Additionally, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has repeatedly advised that local governments play a crucial role in meeting national carbon reduction targets, yet it lacks the legal backing to ensure progress.

Why the UK Needs a Climate Statutory Duty

1. Ensuring Consistency: Some councils act ambitiously, while others do little. A statutory duty would ensure uniform commitment.
2. Legal Accountability: Councils would be legally responsible for climate action, reducing inaction.
3. Long-Term Planning: Legal obligations ensure stable funding and policy continuity.
4. Public Health & Social Benefits: Strong climate policies lead to cleaner air, reduced flood risks, and healthier communities.

Call to Action

The UK government must introduce a Climate Statutory Duty for all local authorities and public bodies to meet its Paris Agreement commitments to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Without it, the country risks failing its climate obligations. The time for voluntary measures has passed; a legally binding duty is essential to securing a sustainable future.

Isaac Beevor

Isaac is Partnerships Director at Climate Emergency UK. Isaac started working and campaigning in local climate policy in Metro Vancouver, managing volunteers and working on campaigns to support Vancouver's low-emission buildings policy and introducing an annual measuring and reporting system across Metro Vancouver.