Climate Emergency UK assessed all UK councils on the actions they've taken towards net zero. The Scorecard assessment consists of 91 questions or less, depending on council type, across 7 different sections, created in consultation with over 90 different organisations and individuals. Each council was marked against these criteria and given a right to reply before the scores underwent a final audit. This work was completed between January and August 2023. Unless otherwise stated, council climate action from 1st January 2019 up until 31st March 2023 was assessed.
The question weighting determines the importance of that question to the overall section score. To ensure appropriate weighting to each question, each raw score for a question has been translated into a score out of one, two or three, depending on whether the question is weighted low (one), medium (two) or high (three). The questions that are weighted high are those we consider to have the biggest impact on emission reductions and a sustained long-term impact.
The overall section score for a council is given in the table below. The final score is created from adding up the overall section scores and applying the section weighting. For example, receiving a 50% score in Collaboration & Engagement equals 5% of a council’s overall score. This is because Collaboration & Engagement is worth 10% of a council's overall score.
Councils have been scored across seven sections, each covering the important actions that councils can be taking towards net zero. The marks within these sections add up to make up the council's overall score. Here you can see where a council performs well and not so well in each section — and compare it to other councils at this granular level.
Choose district councils to compare
Filter questions in the table
Visit us again on a bigger screen
You'll find more options, like the ability to compare your council's Scorecard with other councils, and see a more granular breakdown of how they did on each question of the Scorecards.
Questions
Erewash Borough Council
Councils with full marks per question
Buildings & Heating
38%
1.1
Has the council completed extensive retrofit work on any of its significant buildings to make them low carbon?
Has the council completed extensive retrofit work on any of its significant buildings to make them low carbon?
Criteria met if the council have done any of the following extensive retrofit works for any one of its significant buildings: - created on-site renewable energy - whole building retrofitting, including heat pump installations - extensive insulation of walls and floors - replacing gas boilers or installing a combined heating system
Additional points awarded if the retrofit has been awarded a standard such as BREEAM Refurbishment and fit-out (any level), AECB Retrofit standard (Bronze, Silver or Gold) or any other recognised standard.
1/2
5 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.2
Are the council's operations powered by renewable energy?
Are the council's operations powered by renewable energy?
Criteria met if the council has a green tariff that is 100% renewable or if the council creates its own energy equivalent to 20% of more of its energy consumption through energy from waste.
Additional points awarded if the council has a green tariff with Green Energy UK plc, Good Energy Limited or Ecotricity, or if the council creates its own renewable energy equivalent to 20% or its energy consumption. This could be through on-site energy generation, or if the council has built or bought a solar/wind farm elsewhere.
1/2
4 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.5
Is the council part of a programme or partnership to support home retrofitting, through providing the skills and training needed or in other ways?
Is the council part of a programme or partnership to support home retrofitting, through providing the skills and training needed or in other ways?
Criteria met if either: - the council convenes or is a member of a local retrofit partnership, that focuses on developing the skills and training needed for retrofit or sharing knowledge around retrofitting. Evidence of this partnership is needed. At least two of the following must be visible: 1. A named partnership with a public membership list 2. A terms of reference or aims of the group 3. Evidence of previous meetings, via notes, agendas, videos or in news stories
- alternatively, the criteria will be met if the council convenes or supports a programme for retrofitting locally through providing training or skills support.
1/1
73 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.6
Does the council have a staff member employed to work on retrofitting across the council area?
Does the council have a staff member employed to work on retrofitting across the council area?
Criteria met if a staff member is employed to work on retrofitting for 3 or more days a week and is working on any retrofit projects, including council buildings, council homes or private rented or owned households.
Staff can be as a project manager or officer on 3 or more days a week. We would accept contractors as long as they are equivalent to 3 days or more a week (0.6 FTE).
0/1
75 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.7
Are the homes and buildings in the council area energy efficient?
Are the homes and buildings in the council area energy efficient?
Three Tier Criteria Criteria met if 50% or more of buildings in the area that have an EPC rating are rated C or above. Additional points awarded if the more than 60% and then more than 90% of buildings in the area that have an EPC rating are rated C or above.
0/3
0 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.8
Is the council actively enforcing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of homes in the private rented sector?
Is the council actively enforcing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of homes in the private rented sector?
Two Tier Criteria Criteria met if the council has carried out 1-100 compliance or enforcement notices in the last financial year 2021/22. Additional points if more than 100 compliance or enforcement notices have been carried out by a council.
0/2
3 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.9
Does the council provide a service to support private homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient?
Does the council provide a service to support private homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient?
Criteria is met if the council is either providing a tailor-made advice to residents on home energy efficiency, or connecting residents with local trades people and suppliers for energy efficiency measures that can be carried out in their homes.
1/1
133 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.10
Does the council offer funding to private renters or homeowners to retrofit their homes?
Does the council offer funding to private renters or homeowners to retrofit their homes?
Criteria met if the council provides any amount of funding to any number of private renters, landlords or homeowners to retrofit their homes. This would include grant funding councils have secured from the Green Homes Grants and the Sustainable Warmth national government programmes if the council are administering them.
1/1
164 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.11
Does the council have a scheme to allow residents to purchase renewable energy cheaply, through collective buying?
Does the council have a scheme to allow residents to purchase renewable energy cheaply, through collective buying?
Two tier criteria Criteria met if the council is running a Solar Streets or equivalent collective energy buying project.
Additional points awarded if the council is running a Solar Together or equivalent project, such as iChoosr. Points awarded to any other scheme councils are doing that are on a similar scale to Solar Together.
0/2
98 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
1.12
Has the council supported local community renewable energy creation?
Has the council supported local community renewable energy creation?
Criteria met if there is public information about a council working with a local community energy generation infrastructure project, such as wind, solar or hydro. Evidence of this could include: - Being formally listed as a partner on the community energy projects' website - Evidence on the councils' website of the council providing funding, land or other support to the community energy project.
0/1
23 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
Transport
Penalty marks
Erewash Borough Council incurred a penalty of 9% in this section
-10%
0 = Total score (0.80) − Penalty points (-0.8)
2.1
Is the council transitioning their vehicle fleet to electric?
Has the council set up or supported a shared transport scheme that can be used across their whole area?
Criteria met for each type of scheme where a member of the public can hire a vehicle (e.g. car/scooter/bike/mobility device) within the local authorities area.
The following schemes will be awarded points: - Car share scheme of any size in the area. Including: - Community car clubs. - Car clubs provided by private companies - Hiring of council vehicles when not in use - Bike share scheme - E-bike or cargo bike share scheme - E-scooter scheme - Mobility Devices - Wheels 2 Work scheme
Trial schemes that are active at the time of marking will be accepted.
0/6
0 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
2.10
Has the council supported the expansion of a public network of electric vehicle chargers?
Has the council approved, expanded or built a high carbon transport project since 2019?
Negatively Scored Question Points deducted if the council has approved, expanded or built a road since 2019.
Further points deducted if the council has approved, expanded or built an airport since 2019.
0/0
149 out of 164district councils got no penalty marks for this question.
2.12a
Do the NO2 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods within the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Do the NO2 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods within the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Negatively Scored Question A council will be negatively scored if they have 25% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) NO2 guidelines.
A council will be further negatively scored if they have 75% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) NO2 guidelines.
-0.48/0
92 out of 164district councils got no penalty marks for this question.
2.12b
Do the PM 2.5 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods in the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Do the PM 2.5 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods in the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Negatively Scored Question
A local authority will be negatively scored if they have 25% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) PM 2.5 guidelines.
A local authority will be further negatively scored if they have 75% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) PM 2.5 guidelines.
-0.32/0
0 out of 164district councils got no penalty marks for this question.
Planning & Land Use
7%
3.1
Is the council's area wide net zero target a strategic objective of the Local Plan?
Is the council's area wide net zero target a strategic objective of the Local Plan?
Points awarded if the Local Plan includes: - reaching net zero as a strategic objective of the Local Plan - The council's net zero target date is also found within the Plan.
The net-zero target must be an area wide net-zero target.
0/1
31 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.2
Has the council committed to building all future council owned or managed housing to a high energy efficiency or operationally net-zero standard?
Has the council committed to building all future council owned or managed housing to a high energy efficiency or operationally net-zero standard?
Two tier criteria Points awarded if the council has a policy to build new council owned or managed housing as highly energy efficient or operationally net zero with the policy implemented from 2030 to 2040.
Additional points awarded if the council has a policy to build new council owned or managed housing as highly energy efficient or operationally net zero with the policy already implemented since 2019 or with implementation by 2030.
0/2
30 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.3a
Does the council require new homes to make an improvement on the Part L building regulations?
Does the council require new homes to make an improvement on the Part L building regulations?
Points awarded if the council has a policy that requires a reduction in carbon/energy of new homes within the councils area that is 19% higher than the Part L building regulations.
This would be the same as Scottish councils requiring "Silver standard" as a minimum.
0/1
32 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.3b
Does the council require a fabric first approach for new development?
Does the council require a fabric first approach for new development?
The criteria will be met by English councils if they have a policy that exceeds the minimum government's building regulations on the Part L Target for Fabric Energy Efficiency.
Alternatively, the criteria will be met for councils that have a policy with a space heating requirement that exceeds the minimum government's building regulations.
For Scottish councils, the criteria will be met if the council requires developers to meet the Silver or Gold building standards.
0/1
38 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.3c
Does the council set a requirement that all new homes to be built must be operationally (regulated) net zero?
Does the council set a requirement that all new homes to be built must be operationally (regulated) net zero?
Two tier criteria Points awarded if the council requires new homes to be operationally net zero with the policy implemented from 2030 to 2040.
More points awarded if the council requires new homes to be operationally net zero with the policy already implemented since 2019 or with implementation by 2030.
Any date to implement the policy after 2040 would not be awarded points.
This would be equivalent for Scottish authorities to mandate the 'Platinum' building standard for carbon emissions for all new buildings.
0/2
15 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.4
Does the council require developers to carry out a whole life cycle carbon assessment of new build developments?
Has the council removed minimum parking requirements for new residential homes across their area?
Two-tier criteria Points awarded if the council has removed minimum parking requirements for new developments in any area.
For example, in a rural council this could mean minimum parking requirements are removed for the main town or if the council is urban if minimum parking requirements are removed for a central area.
Further points awarded if there are no minimum parking requirements across the whole of the council's area.
0/2
31 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.7
Does the council include a policy in the Local Plan to create 15/20 minute neighbourhoods?
Does the council include a policy in the Local Plan to create 15/20 minute neighbourhoods?
Points awarded if the Local Plan includes a policy to create 15/20 minute neighbourhoods. To meet the criteria the policy would have to include a definition of what a 15/20 minute community including: - What key services would be required within 15/20 minutes of new homes. - How it will be measured, for example 15 minutes by bike, walking, bus. As the crow flies distances will not meet the criteria.
If an authority has defined a specific zone where 15/20 minute neighbourhood policy principles would apply like the main town in a rural area then this would get the mark.
0/1
24 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.8
Has the council committed to avoiding new building developments on the functional flood plain?
Does the council have a minimum requirement for on-site renewable energy generation for new building development?
Two-tier criteria: Points awarded if the council has a policy for any minimum level of onsite renewable energy generation for new building development.
Further points awarded if the council has a policy that requires 20%, or above, onsite renewable energy generation for new building development.
0/2
10 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.10a
Does the Local Plan identify suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks?
Does the Local Plan identify suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks?
Points awarded if the council has a map detailing where solar energy can be built within the council's area.
Points awarded if the council has a map detailing where wind energy can be built within the council's area.
Points awarded if the council has a map detailing where a district heat network can be built within the council's area.
0/3
11 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
3.10b
Has the Council approved any planning applications for new or expanded solar or wind developments, battery storage, or renewable district heat networks since 2019?
Has the Council approved any planning applications for new or expanded solar or wind developments, battery storage, or renewable district heat networks since 2019?
Points awarded for planning applications approved for new or expanded solar, renewable district heat networks, wind developments or battery storage.
Solar developments must exceed 1 megawatt in capacity.
1/5
13 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
Governance & Finance
24%
4.1a
Does the council's corporate plan include a net-zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Does the council's corporate plan include a net-zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Criteria met if climate action (alternatively called Sustainability or Environment) is listed as one of the council's core priorities or equivalent. It must have its own heading or section and a net zero target date must be referenced.
The net-zero target date must be an area-wide target, either the UK Government's national target, the devolved nation's target or the council's area-wide net zero target.
1/1
64 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.1b
Does the council's medium term financial plan include the council's net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Does the council's medium term financial plan include the council's net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Criteria met if climate action (alternatively called sustainability or environment) is listed as one of the council's core priorities or equivalent. It must have its own heading or section and a net-zero target date must be referenced.
The net-zero target date must be an area-wide target, either the UK Government's national target, the devolved nation's target or the council's area-wide net-zero target.
0/1
35 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.2
Has the council published a climate change risk register?
Has the council published a climate change risk register?
Criteria met if the council has accurately identified the environmental risks of climate change to the local area, either in a stand alone climate change or adaptation risk register, or incorporated into the council's corporate risk register. There must be an explicit link between climate change and the increased risk of flooding or other weather events.
Adaptation plans are not valid, unless there is a risk register or equivalent within the adaptation plan.
0/1
33 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.3a
Is the council reporting on its own greenhouse gas emissions?
Is the council reporting on its own greenhouse gas emissions?
Criteria met if the council is reporting its own emissions and fulfill all of the following: - the council states whether they are using the Environmental Reporting Guidelines from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the GCoM Common Reporting Framework (CRF), the Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool (from the LGA), the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for Cities (Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories) or for Corporate Standards to develop their inventory.
Councils must state whether they are using either, - the inventory must cover a continuous period of 12 months, either a calendar year or a financial year - there must be data from 2019 and 2021 (or the financial year 2021/22) - the council must be measuring their own scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
0/1
48 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.3b
According to the council's own reporting, have the council's own greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2019?
According to the council's own reporting, have the council's own greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2019?
Three tier criteria Councils must meet the minimum criteria of question 3a to be able to get points for this question.
Criteria met if, using the councils' own reporting mechanisms, there has been a 5% or more reduction of scope 1 and 2 emissions when comparing 2019 to 2021 (or financial years 2018/19 to 2021/22) data.
Additional points awarded if this emission reduction has been 10% or more, or further points if the reduction has been 20% or more.
Further points awarded if there has been any reduction from scope 3 emissions.
We recognise that there is currently no standard way that all councils use to report on emissions. We will score councils' own calculations, despite the differences, as long as they fulfill the requirements in 3a.
0/3
10 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.4
Has the council's area wide carbon emissions decreased, according to UK Government data?
Has the council adopted a new governance or decision making process to put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of every council decision made?
Two tier criteria Criteria met if climate implications are listed or referenced for all council decisions at full council. Climate implications can be considered through Environmental Implications or an Integrated Impact Assessment if this includes a climate or environmental sub-heading or section.
Additional points if the council is using a detailed impact assessment tool to assess the climate implications of all council decisions.
0/2
10 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.6
Has the Council embedded climate action and waste reduction into their procurement policies?
Has the Council embedded climate action and waste reduction into their procurement policies?
Three tier criteria Criteria met if the council has a stand alone environmental or sustainable procurement policy, or a complete section on Sustainable or Responsible Procurement, Climate Change and Action or something similar, within their procurement policy that includes the following.
Two or more of the following criteria must be met to meet the minimum criteria for this point: 1. The policy makes explicit reference to the council's Climate Action Plan and zero carbon targets. 2. The policy requests to see the carbon reduction plan of the supplier in the tendering process or asks the supplier to detail any specific steps taken in the design and manufacture of the services to increase energy efficiency and reduce any detrimental environmental impacts. 3. The policy encourages or requires suppliers, through selection processes, to adopt processes and procedures to reduce their environmental impact, including energy consumption and associated carbon emissions, where practicable. For example a council might allocate 5% or more of the tendering overall evaluation score to the environmental actions of the tenderer (the supplier’s contribution to carbon reduction within their own operations or other actions) 4. The policy encourages or requires suppliers, through selection processes, to adopt circular economy processes and procedures where practical.
Additional points if the council has a mandatory requirement for tenders to do any of the following: - Demonstrate how they will meet energy efficiency requirements or minimise energy consumption. - Demonstrate how they will minimise waste in their products and services. This could be through recycled, natural, biodegradable or renewable materials being used, through not using single use plastic or other non-recyclable materials or through ensuring products and services last for as long as possible.
Additional points if the council's procurement policy includes any of the following: - The council aims to source low or zero carbon energy wherever possible. - The council aims to phase out the use of fossil fuels from their council fleet. - The council references the waste hierarchy in its policy, for example by stating that it encourages the councils to consider if repeat procurement requests are always needed.
0/3
3 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.7
Does the council have a Cabinet member or Portfolio Holder that has climate change explicitly in their remit?
Does the council have a Cabinet member or Portfolio Holder that has climate change explicitly in their remit?
Criteria met if the council has a role such as Chair of Environment Committee, Cabinet Member for Environment, Chair of Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee or any title with the words Climate Change, Climate Action, Climate Emergency, Environmental Sustainability, Environment or similar in it. This role can be merged with another role, such as Environment and Transport.
0/1
136 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.8
What percentage of the council's overall staff work on implementing their Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects?
What percentage of the council's overall staff work on implementing their Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects?
Three tier criteria Criteria met if there are multiple staff members employed on 3 days a week or more to be working on the council's Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects equating to a given % of the overall council staff team.
Point awarded if more than 0.5% of council staff work on implementing a councils' Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects further points awarded if more than 1% of council staff work on implementing a councils' Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects Additional points awarded if more than 2% of council staff work on implementing a councils' Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects
0/3
17 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.9
Have all senior management and councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received climate awareness training?
Have all senior management and councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received climate awareness training?
Criteria met if all senior management and councillors in leadership positions such as cabinet members or committee chairs elected before May 2023 have received climate awareness, carbon literacy or equivalent training.
0/1
28 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.10a
Has the council raised income for climate action from property development?
Has the council raised income for climate action from property development?
Criteria is met if the council has used either the Community Infrastructure Levy or Section 106 to raise any amount of funds for climate action, in England and Wales. There must be explicit reference to these funds being used for climate action, such as being used to deliver the council's climate action plan.
In Scotland, the criteria is met if the council has used section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. In Northern Ireland, the criteria is met if the council has used section 76 of the 2011 Planning Act.
1/1
33 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.10b
Has the council launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent?
Has the council launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent?
Criteria met if the council has launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent of any amount as a way to raise funds for climate action.
0/1
2 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.10c
Has the council raised income for climate action from any other sources?
Has the council raised income for climate action from any other sources?
Criteria is met if the council has raised any amount of funds for climate action through any of the following: - Energy Service Company - Successful grants in relation to climate action (including active travel, bus or other public transport improvements, home retrofit or energy efficiency measures, rewilding, waste reduction, or biodiversity and conservation projects) - Joint Ventures/Special Purpose Vehicles - Loans (including through Salix Finance or Public Works Loans Board) - Procurement policy – Social Value
1/1
89 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.11a
Has the council passed a motion in support of divestment from all fossil fuels from the councils' pension funds?
Has the council's pensions fund committed to divesting from all fossil fuels?
Two tier criteria Criteria met if the pension fund has committed to partially divesting. For example, it has committed to divesting only from coal, tar sands or oil.
Additional points if the pension fund has committed to divest from all fossil fuels.
0/2
0 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
4.12
Does the council have direct investments in airports or high carbon intensive energy industries?
Does the council have direct investments in airports or high carbon intensive energy industries?
Negatively Scored Question Points deducted if the council has direct investments or shares, of any size, in airports or any carbon intensive industries.
0/0
160 out of 164district councils got no penalty marks for this question.
Biodiversity
20%
5.1
Does the council use peat free compost or soil in all landscaping and horticulture?
Does the council use peat free compost or soil in all landscaping and horticulture?
Criteria met if the council has stopped using peat in soils in all landscaping and horticulture such as parks and council properties. A commitment that the council has stopped using peat compost or soil on their website or biodiversity strategy will be sufficient to meet the criteria.
0/1
38 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
5.2
Has the council banned the use of pesticides on all council owned and managed land?
Has the council banned the use of pesticides on all council owned and managed land?
Criteria met if a council has banned the use of pesticides in parks and road verges where they have control. This ban must include the street cleaning/weed control team.
0/1
10 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
5.3
Has the council committed to mowing their green spaces less for wildlife?
Has the council committed to mowing their green spaces less for wildlife?
Criteria met if the council has committed to mow green spaces including parks and road verges less regularly, or if the council has committed to create wildflower habitats within green spaces the local authorities manage.
1/1
129 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
5.5
Does the council have a target to increase tree cover and is a tree management plan agreed as they grow?
Does the council have a target to increase tree cover and is a tree management plan agreed as they grow?
Criteria met if the council has a target to increase tree cover which has been included in the Biodiversity Action Plan and/or Tree Strategy, provided the council has agreed a tree management plan that details how new trees will be irrigated and cared for.
0/1
24 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
5.7
Have the council's parks been awarded Green Flag status?
Does the council require a higher biodiversity net gain commitment from new developments?
Criteria met if any policy within the Local Plan states that the council is asking for biodiversity net gain above the minimum 10% required by the UK Government.
0/1
10 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
Collaboration & Engagement
5%
6.1
Do the council's climate pages include information about behaviour changes that residents can take, and are they easy to find?
Do the council's climate pages include information about behaviour changes that residents can take, and are they easy to find?
Criteria met if the council website has climate pages that are easy for residents to find and include information about what residents can do to reduce their carbon emissions.
Information about what residents can do must include links to council initiatives for further support. For example, a suggestion to reduce food waste could include a link to order a food waste caddy.
0/1
131 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.2a
Has the council published a climate action plan with SMART targets?
Has the council published an up to date and easy-to-read annual report on their Climate Action Plan?
Points awarded for each of the following criteria: - The council has published an annual report since 1st January 2022 - The annual report is easy-to-read - The annual report includes reporting on progress towards the council's climate action plan SMART targets.
0/3
45 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.3
Has the council lobbied the government for climate action?
Has the council lobbied the government for climate action?
Criteria met if the council has sent a letter or had a meeting with national or devolved governments calling for the government to take further action, or asking for councils to receive more funding, powers and climate resources to take climate action.
The criteria will be met if councils have worked on specific, climate-related issues, provided climate is cited as a reason to take action. For example, asking for measures to improve local bus provision will meet the criteria if reducing carbon emissions is cited as a reason to do so.
0/1
60 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.4
Is the council working with external partners or other councils to seek to influence national governments on climate action, or to learn about and share best practice on council climate action?
Is the council working with external partners or other councils to seek to influence national governments on climate action, or to learn about and share best practice on council climate action?
Two tier criteria Point awarded for membership or contributing case studies for at least one of the following organisations, with a further point available for membership or contributing case studies for three or more of the following organisations.
Membership organisations: - UK100 (Including the Countryside Climate Network) - ADEPT - Blueprint Coalition - ICLEI - Carbon Neutral Cities - UK Green Building Council - Sustainable Scotland Network - Carbon Disclosure Project (including submitting to the CDP since 2019)
Case studies: - Friends of the Earth & Ashden case studies - LGA (Local Government Association) climate change case studies - UK100 case studies - WRAP case studies
0/2
36 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.5a
Does the council have an ongoing way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's Climate Action Plan?
Does the council have an ongoing way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's Climate Action Plan?
Two tier criteria Point awarded if the council has established a way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's climate action. This may be through: - a community engagement group - introducing community, resident or activist representation on a council climate change committee/group - convening or using a local climate action network to improve the implementation of their climate action plan - broader forms of community engagement work such as a series of workshops across the area for different groups of residents.
A further point will be awarded if there is an overarching framework such as a dedicated climate public engagement plan to inform this work.
0/2
22 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.5b
Does the council's ongoing engagement with residents include those most affected by climate change and climate action policy?
Does the council's ongoing engagement with residents include those most affected by climate change and climate action policy?
Two tier criteria Point awarded if the council's ongoing engagement (under 5a) specifically aims to engage those most affected by climate change and climate action policies.
A further point available if the council's climate action plan has undergone an equalities impact assessment to identify who is most affected by climate change and climate action policies.
0/2
14 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.6
Does the council provide funding for community climate action, for example through an environment fund or climate action fund?
Does the council provide funding for community climate action, for example through an environment fund or climate action fund?
Criteria met for a ring-fenced fund that a council has created to spend on climate action locally, either in partnership with the council or for other organisations or volunteer and community groups. The fund must fulfill the following criteria: - The fund is at least £10k in size. Where the overall amount of funding has not been stated, it will be assumed that funds awarding individual grants over £1k in size have a total fund of at least £10k. - The fund is accessible to community groups, including, where relevant, parish councils. - The funding has been open to applications at some point since 1st January 2022, in order to include funds released in waves that may not be open at the time of marking.
0/1
79 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.8
Is the council working in partnership with cultural institutions and organisations to encourage decarbonisation within culture and arts locally?
Is the council working in partnership with cultural institutions and organisations to encourage decarbonisation within culture and arts locally?
Criteria met if there is a partnership between the council and local sports, arts and cultural partnerships, provided the partnership includes any one of the following: funding for climate work, evidence of co-creation with community groups, the decarbonisation of cultural buildings including targets, initiatives that encourage behaviour change such as sustainable travel incentives, or a focus on climate justice.
0/1
53 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.9
Is the council working in partnership with schools or other education settings to deliver climate action that young people can engage with?
Is the council working in partnership with schools or other education settings to deliver climate action that young people can engage with?
Criteria met if the council supports schools or other education settings by running any of the following schemes in more than one school: - EnergySparks or equivalent auditing schemes which require local authority support. - Solar schools or other visible low-carbon interventions. - Democratic engagement work in schools or other education settings to connect young people to climate decision making, including establishing youth climate panels or parliaments and holding youth climate summits for schools in the area.
0/1
83 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.10
Is the council working in partnership with local businesses to encourage decarbonisation?
Is the council working in partnership with local businesses to encourage decarbonisation?
Criteria met if the council provides support or free tailored advice to businesses in the local area to decarbonise, including through collaborative measures with local businesses, other local authorities, or via the Local Enterprise Partnership.
1/1
122 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
6.11
Has the council passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising and sponsorship?
Has the council passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising and sponsorship?
A point will be awarded if the council has passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising on ad sites it controls by introducing a low carbon advertising and sponsorship policy or similar, or updated their existing advertising and sponsorship policies to include high carbon products.
0/1
3 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
Waste Reduction & Food
0%
7.1a
Has the council reduced single use plastic in its buildings and events?
Has the council reduced single use plastic in its buildings and events?
Criteria met if the council has successfully stopped using some single use plastic in the council office buildings and events. This excludes schools, leisure centres and other council buildings.
Points will be awarded if the council has done 2 or more of the following: - installing water drinking fountains on the council estate/public spaces - banning plastic cups for water - reducing plastic packaging - reducing the use of two or more of the following: plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks), plates, straws, beverage stirrers, balloon sticks or food and cup containers made of expanded polystyrene; including their covers and lids at their external events.
0/1
48 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.1b
Has the council reduced single use plastic at external events on council land, property or public spaces such as roads and parks?
Has the council reduced single use plastic at external events on council land, property or public spaces such as roads and parks?
Two tier criteria Point awarded if the council requires event organisers to provide additional information about their environmental commitments that make reference to single use plastic or items that will be used that will be recyclable, compostable or reusable (such as a cup refill scheme).
Further points awarded if the council has banned the use of all of the following at these external events: plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks), plates, balloon sticks or food and cup containers made of expanded polystyrene; including their covers and lids.
0/2
8 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.2
Has the council taken steps to support a circular economy locally?
Has the council taken steps to support a circular economy locally?
Criteria met if the council has done 2 or more of the following: - Provided funding or space provided for a repair cafe or similar - Provided funding or space for exchange shops or similar - Signed up as part of circular economy project
0/1
19 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.3
Does the council support initiatives to redistribute surplus food?
Does the council support initiatives to redistribute surplus food?
Criteria met if the council supports an organisation that redistributes surplus food within the area through funding, staff or other ways (such as being listed as a partner of the project).
0/1
58 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.4a
Does the council have a sustainable food strategy?
Does the council have a sustainable food strategy?
Criteria met if the strategy or work plan covers the whole council area (sometimes called place-based) and includes sections on sustainable food or the climate impacts of food. The strategy must cover 6 months or more.
0/1
12 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.4b
Is the council part of a sustainable food partnership?
Is the council part of a sustainable food partnership?
Criteria met if the council is listed on the Sustainable Food Places membership list, or, if there is evidence that the council is part of a sustainable food partnership that fulfills the same criteria as Sustainable Food Places membership. The council can either lead the partnership or be a key member, such as on the steering group.
0/1
22 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.5
Has the council taken steps to support local food growing?
Has the council taken steps to support local food growing?
Criteria met if the council has proactively created more space for local food growing through providing funding, land, staff or other resources to support: - community orchards - schools to have growing spaces - community or city farms or gardens, including edible fruit/veg/herbs patches in public spaces such as parks, rooftops or grass verges.
0/1
80 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.7
Does the council provide kerbside food waste recycling?
How high is the councils' area wide annual recycling rate?
Three Tier Criteria Criteria met if the council has a recycling rate of 50% or more. Additional points awarded if the council has a recycling rate of 60% and further points awarded if the council has a recycling rate of 70% or more.
0/3
0 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.
7.9
How low is the councils' area wide level of household waste produced?
How low is the councils' area wide level of household waste produced?
Criteria met if the annual residual waste in kg per household in the area is 300-400kg per household. Further points awarded if the annual residual waste in kg per household in the area is under 300kg per household.
This question is scoring councils on the amount of residual waste (kg) per household in each council.
0/2
1 out of 164district councils got full marks for this question.