This is the second article in a series exploring how the UK can move from climate crisis to climate resilience.
In our previous piece, "Beyond the Climate Crisis: Facing the Cascade of Consequences", we examined six systemic risks triggered by climate change. In this follow-up, we ask: What can be done — and who needs to do it?
We explore practical actions and transformational opportunities for national government, local authorities, businesses, and individuals. And for each challenge, we ask: what if local authorities had a statutory duty to act on climate?
The central purpose of this website are to change the law on Climate Change to enable the UK to meet its obligations to do all it can to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C as per Paris 2015
We are doing this by seeking information and evidence from you, based on our articles, as to what the law should include.
This proposition suggests that all Local Authorities should be empowered and mandated as the primary vehicle to help deliver Net Zero and deal with the many consequences of Climate Change.
UK prosperity is an embedded feature of the proposition
We want YOU to help shape the law by reading the articles and then responding to the two questions on page "Shaping the Climate Statutory Duty"
However, as we gather evidence we will also post how some of this can be achieved today if you through your local authority are minded to do so.
The UK's ecosystems are our first line of defence against climate change—and our best hope for restoring balance. Biodiversity loss weakens nature's ability to store carbon, regulate floods, and support food systems. Restoring nature is not just about saving wildlife—it's a national resilience strategy.
What can be done:
Potential Climate Statutory Duty: Require councils to embed nature recovery in local plans, link climate and biodiversity goals, and align with the national Nature Recovery Network.
Opportunities and Benefits:
Energy resilience is essential to economic and national security. Reducing fossil fuel reliance, improving efficiency, and localising energy systems can cut emissions and protect against shocks.
What can be done:
Potential Climate Statutory Duty: Require Local Area Energy Plans to coordinate energy decarbonisation, storage, and distribution.
Opportunities and Benefits:
Climate change threatens global and local food supplies. A resilient food system must be diverse, localised, and sustainable.
What can be done:
Potential Climate Statutory Duty: Require councils to include food system resilience in planning and public procurement.
Opportunities and Benefits:
Unchecked climate risk drives up costs—for insurance, infrastructure, and basic goods. A proactive economic response will help prevent future instability.
What can be done:
Potential Climate Statutory Duty: Mandate local economic resilience planning and climate risk assessment.
Opportunities and Benefits:
The UK is not isolated from global climate disruption. Population movement, supply shocks, and conflict will affect our communities and economy.
What can be done:
Potential Climate Statutory Duty: Embed social inclusion, climate justice, and preparedness into local adaptation strategies.
Opportunities and Benefits:
Climate change is a health crisis. Heatwaves, floods, and pollution hit vulnerable groups hardest—but nature, planning, and community action can reduce risks and boost wellbeing.
What can be done:
Potential Climate Statutory Duty: Require integration of climate and health in local public health planning.
Opportunities and Benefits:
Climate change is already here—but so is the opportunity to act. Local authorities, with the right powers and responsibilities, can lead the way in building a resilient, fairer, and more sustainable UK.
We want to hear from you
Use the forms on page, "Shaping the Climate Statutory Duty".
Join the conversation. Comment, share, or suggest more ways we can turn the tide together. Volunteer. Ask for support.
We're in this together.
Regards,
Cllr. Wisdom Da Costa
Achieving Maximum Impact on Net Zero
Tell us your views on "How Local Authorities Can Achieve Maximum Impact on Net Zero?" - Click and respond to Question 1 on this page
Issues that should be addressed
Tell us your views on "What Critical Issues a Climate Statutory Duty Should Address?" - Scroll down page to Question 2
Creating solution for local authorities
We want to create solutions for local authorities. Tell us what problems you are experiencing and, we will find solutions. Click here