At present, there are no clear specific duties for local authorities when it comes to mitigating or adapting to climate change.
Local authorities also do not receive core funding for preventing and responding to the issue.
The consultation is seeking views from councils, government departments, non-governmental organisations, interest groups, think tanks, alliances and other interested parties.
Climate change is a significant worry for residents, with eight in 10 people saying that they are concerned.
The LGA said that councils have the potential to impact over 80% of areas’ emissions, and direct impact over a third of emissions.
The consultation description points to several key sectors – including waste – which could be targeted.
A spokesperson for the LGA said: “With the range of reforms underway across the Green Energy Mission and Devolution, there is an opportunity to rewire the relationship, and put in place a statutory framework to enable all local authorities everywhere the certainty, clarity, flexibility, powers, resource, technical support, and shared endeavour to accelerate towards net zero.
“A rewired relationship requires rewired accountability, and that’s the focus of this consultation.
“The purpose of this LGA consultation is to initiate further discussion around these and other related issues.”
The consultation is currently open and will close on 30 May 2025 at 11:45pm.
The LGA called for views on any issues not covered by the consultation to be emailed to climateaction@local.gov.uk.
Local Government White Paper
The LGA previously set out its vision for helping government to achieve net zero in the Local Government White Paper.
It said that since the publication of the white paper it has been working with the government on its Green Energy Mission to help the country achieve net zero and tackle the ecological crisis.
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