A Local Government Climate Strategy Panel has been set up to help lead, support and give strategic overview to decarbonisation work in local government. Working together, the Panel will share expertise, evidence and solutions to ensure investment, strategy and policy are as effective as possible.
The Panel met virtually for the first time during Wales Climate Week (2-6 November 2020) and continues to meet monthly. The Panel is working with Welsh Government to develop ambitious policies for Wales’ next Low Carbon Delivery Plan based on the priority areas for the public sector – procurement, buildings, transport and land use. The Plan is scheduled to be published in autumn 2021.
Acknowledging there is already lots of good work underway, the Panel does not seek to duplicate existing groups and activity but to galvanise and accelerate change to tackle the climate emergency. The need to work together is a key aim for the Panel, so that authorities can share good practice and lessons learnt, as well as collaborating to reduce demands on resources.
Local government is uniquely placed to both lead by example and also increase public awareness of the scale and pace of change needed to meet the ambitious target of becoming net zero by 2030.
Who are the Panel members?
The Panel comprises representatives from local authorities across Wales who represent their region, members from Welsh Government, Welsh Local Government Association and trade union side along with technical experts.