Power Shift: Research into Local Authority powers relating to climate action by UK100 & Quantum

Power Shift sets out key thematic areas where a new approach to powers and resources could help local authorities to deliver big climate wins: Transport Buildings  Energy Infrastructure WasteBuildingsIn the Buildings section of the report, it is recommended that Local Planning Authorities should be provided with the power to priorities the Climate Change Act in Planning Policy over developer viability, ensuring that key enabling powers to support this are in place. The report also suggests that local authorities to enforce and report on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, with the scope and processes involved significantly revised so that it is a useable tool to manage carbon improvements across the existing building stock.Energy InfrastructureUnder Energy Infrastructure, the report puts great emphasis on the importance of Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP). It recommends that a national framework for LAEP should be put in place, giving a greater role and more powers to local and regional authorities to develop a balanced energy system which combines a mix of large scale power generation with local decentralised energy systems, as part of a wider priority focus of reaching Net Zero. It is noted that local authorities already have a number of powers that can help to deliver large scale schemes such as district heating such as Permitted Development Rights and Local Development Orders, but that there are also existing barriers that an overarching LAEP (and zoning) framework could help to solve.Local authorities will be absolutely key to delivering a net zero energy system. From delivering net zero buildings to expanding low carbon heat networks across the UK, it is essentially that they are adequately resourced and empowered to deliver on national ambition. Given the relevance to our policy work, the ADE is very pleased to see the recommendations included in this report.The full report can be accessed here: https://www.uk100.org/publications/power-shift