A New Chapter for Climate Action: Reflections from Our LGA Fringe Event on Statutory Duties
By Cllr Wisdom Da Costa
At the 2024 Local Government Association (LGA) Conference in Harrogate, something powerful took root.
In a packed room — and with many more joining online — over 100 councillors, officers, campaigners and climate thinkers came together for a dynamic, participatory fringe event: “Statutory Duties for Public Bodies on Climate Change and the Environment.” Hosted by the LGA Independent Group, we planted the seed of a movement that could unlock local climate leadership across the UK.
Chaired expertly by Cllr Diana Moore, the event featured:
Isaac Beevor (Climate Emergency UK) tracing the legal and historical case for a Climate Statutory Duty - click to read article
Cllr. Wisdom Da Costa highlighting the untapped economic and social power of local authorities - click to read article
Professor Lord Krebs, who outlined his Environmental Targets Bill in the House of Lords — a reminder that national policy is catching up with what we know must happen locally - click to read letter
🛠️ Participants Asked: What Would a Climate Duty Really Look Like?
Split into discussion groups, attendees tackled three core questions:
What should a Climate Statutory Duty include — or what powers do councils need but currently lack?
What barriers stand in our way — and how do we dismantle them?
How can we build unstoppable momentum behind this idea?
The insights were rich, varied and striking in their consistency. A few key takeaways:
✅ What Should a Climate Statutory Duty Include?
Embed climate across everything: From planning and procurement to pensions and public engagement — climate action must be woven through every decision.
Mandate cooperation across all tiers of government, including parish councils — “everyone’s duty at every level.”
Introduce science-based targets and measurable reporting: Scope 3 emissions, local carbon budgets, adaptation metrics — and a regulator to hold us all to account.
Strengthen planning powers: Local authorities want to lead on low-carbon, climate-resilient development — but they need the legal teeth.
Link climate and nature: Biodiversity, soil, water — a Rights of Nature Bill was proposed.
Create fair funding models: Long-term, consistent funding, tax incentives, and reforms to council tax and procurement could unlock bold local action.
Educate and empower communities: Carbon literacy, youth councils, and honest engagement with residents can build the public mandate to act.
🚧 What’s Holding Us Back?
Participants named barriers we all know too well — but also pointed to ways forward.
Funding gaps & short-term budgets make long-term climate investment tough.
Lack of joined-up national policy, unclear responsibilities, and no climate “voice” at the top.
Political will and party dynamics still stifle bold action — it’s time to depoliticise climate leadership.
Skills shortages and inertia inside councils limit progress.
Public perception and media narratives can derail or delay efforts unless we lead with clear, inclusive messaging.
We need co-design, not top-down imposition: The appetite for collaboration is strong — and it must be built into any future duty.
🧭 How Do We Build Support?
Policy first: Align with Scotland’s model, update the National Planning Policy Framework, and place climate expertise at the heart of senior leadership.
Cross-party consensus: Many councillors across the political spectrum are ready to unite behind this.
Engage the public: Through honesty, clarity and conversation, we can turn anxiety into agency.
Create tools and frameworks: Reporting standards, decision-making tools (like Doughnut Economics), and cascaded responsibilities can guide and scale action.
Click here to download the full set of responses
📣 A Call to Collaborate: Shape the Climate Duty We Need
The momentum is real. The insights are clear. And now, the opportunity is ours.
We are building a coalition to co-create a Climate Statutory Duty for UK local authorities — one that is ambitious, fair, science-based, and deliverable.
If you're a councillor, officer, organisation or campaigner interested in helping to shape this next phase, please join the conversation. Share your ideas. Share this blog. And help us build the cross-sector movement that this moment demands.
🌱 Let’s turn intention into legislation — and ambition into action.
We want to create solutions for local authorities. Tell us what problems you are experiencing and, we will find solutions. Click here
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This website is managed by a cross-party group of councillors and volunteers from across the UK who share a common interest in supporting local authorities to meet their statutory duties on climate change.
