Climate Action Plan for Local Authorities

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The Climate Action Plan Checklist

For Local Authorities Developing and Reviewing Action Plans

This document is a markdown conversion of the Climate Action Plan Checklist for local authorities, as developed by Climate Emergency UK and supporting partners.

About

Climate Emergency UK provides accessible information about best practices in local climate action and facilitates collaboration among local authorities, activists, NGOs, businesses, and communities. Supporters include Friends of the Earth, Ashden, Centre for Alternative Technology, and APSE Energy.

https://www.climateemergency.uk

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Executive Summary

• Local authorities have significant influence over emissions and climate resilience.

• Plans must integrate climate concerns into all decisions and actions.

• Action brings co-benefits like reduced health costs and improved quality of life.

• Plans should reflect urgency and address environmental inequalities.

• The checklist helps authorities turn declarations into effective action.

Key Principle: "The Action Plan should commit the local authority to include the climate emergency in all local authority decisions and actions."

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Plan Development

1.1 Plan Development

• Led by a senior officer with a responsible cabinet member.

• Honest review of past climate action.

• Cross-department collaboration.

• Workforce identification and upskilling.

• Transparency on third-party involvement.

• Strong net-zero targets with milestones.

1.2 Community Engagement

• Inclusive public engagement via assemblies, surveys, partnerships.

• Clear website section with updates, ways to contribute.

• Annual emissions updates and biannual public progress reports.

• Celebrate community progress.

1.3 Structure and Delivery

• Clear layout, timelines, action tables.

• Accessibility and jargon-free presentation.

• Positive vision of net-zero outcomes.

• Clear responsibilities and accountability.

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Emissions and Monitoring

2.1 Emissions

• Include baseline emissions (typically 1990).

• Define and quantify Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions.

• Set science-based GHG targets.

• Focus on reduction, not offsetting.

• Include projected population/economic impacts.

• Highlight key emissions reduction areas.

• Monitor using tools like SCATTER, IMPACT, Tyndall Budget.

2.1.2 Co-benefits

• Actions should reflect economic, social, environmental co-benefits.

2.1.3 Climate Impacts & Adaptation

• Plan for local climate risks and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

• Incorporate adaptation into each action area.

2.1.4 Monitoring

• Implement systems for tracking emissions and adaptation goals.

• Assign responsibility and publish regular updates.

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Ecological Emergency

• Recognize biodiversity loss links with climate crisis.

• Align with ecological plans, use nature-based solutions.

• Highlight ecosystem services and planetary boundaries.

• Avoid negative impacts of well-intentioned actions.

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Circular Economy

• Set waste baselines and goals.

• Eliminate landfill/incineration reliance.

• Promote reuse, recycling, composting.

• Integrate circular economy into local policy.

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Inclusive and Resilient Communities

2.4.1 Diversity & Social Inclusion

• Recognize and mitigate climate impact disparities.

• Ensure inclusive participation.

• Address inequalities, especially among youth, renters, BAME communities.

2.4.2 Climate Resilience

• Public education on extreme weather.

• Encourage community cohesion and preparedness.

• Risk assess all proposed actions.

2.4.3 Public Health

• Climate-health links: air quality, heatwaves, food insecurity.

• Embed into Joint Strategic Needs Assessments.

2.4.4 Education, Skills & Training

• Carbon literacy for staff and public.

• Support climate education in schools.

• Workforce upskilling and transition to green jobs.

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Local Authority Commitment

2.5.1 Political Commitment

• Cross-party support for sustained action.

• Include original declaration wording and council approval record.

2.5.2 Governance

• Integrate climate emergency lens into all decisions.

• Define governance, accountability, and oversight structures.

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Resources and Action Areas

For examples, case studies, and tools, see:https://data.climateemergency.uk

Refer to Section 3 of the original document for detailed action lists by category.

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