Cities’ low-carbon plans in an ‘age of austerity’: an analysis of UK local authority actions, attitudes and responses

Figures & data

Figure 1.  Per capita CO₂ emissions for the top 20 UK Cities by population size, 2009.

All city figures are based on the primary local authority (or city council) for each city. National Indicator NI186 (with exclusions) is used for each city.

*Core City (England).

Data taken from[87].

Figure 2.  Trends in carbon emissions, between the years 2005–2010, in Core Cities and the UK.

Data taken from[87].

Figure 3.  Conceptual framework for research.

Figure 4.  Drivers for UK cities developing low-carbon plans or strategies.

Figure 5.  Barriers for UK cities developing low-carbon plans or strategies.

Figure 6.  Agreed action plans and strategies.

Figure 7.  City-level carbon emissions targets.

Figure 8.  Local authority-level targets.

Figure 9.  Climate change and low-carbon action plans and strategies.

Extent to which sectoral targets are included in each type of plan.

Figure 10.  Climate change action plans and strategies.

Sectoral targets by city type.

Table 1.  Examples of low-carbon partnerships in UK cities, based on survey responses and document analysis.

City	Details of partnership
Bristol	Informal arrangement through the Bristol Partnership, which is a local strategic partnership. Targets expressed in the Sustainable Community Plan Bristol 20/20 plan have four primary objectives, of which ‘sustainable prosperity’ is one, and is designed to place Bristol in the top 20 European cities within 10 years. Informal arrangements are on a subregional basis, and are project-focused. The city has recently (2013) been awarded £3 million in funding through the Technology Strategy Board as a Future Cities Demonstrator
Glasgow	Sustainable Glasgow is a city-wide partnership to make Glasgow one of the most liveable and sustainable cities in Europe. It brings together partners from the public and private sectors to work with citizens, communities and businesses. The city is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 30% within 10 years, and building a greener and more sustainable future for Glaswegians. The Sustainable Glasgow partnership includes Glasgow City Council, the University of Strathclyde, Clyde Gateway, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Glasgow Housing Association, Scottish Enterprise, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, IBM, BT, Honeywell, Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern Energy, Scottish Water and the City of Glasgow College. Sustainable Glasgow is chaired by Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council. The city has recently (2013) been awarded £24 million in funding through the Technology Strategy Board as a Future Cities Demonstrator
Plymouth	Plymouth has a 186 Low Carbon Network of local businesses (190+ members) and a semi-independent Climate Change Commission comprising some of the city’s (and UK’s) leading climate change academics, decision-makers and business leaders. The 186 network is based on knowledge transfer and a bottom-up approach to establishing best practice in local carbon management – with a view to the outcomes contributing to Plymouth’s future low-carbon economy. The Commission supports this and acts as an advisory team for decision makers within the Council and Local Strategic Partnership. Both were deeply involved in establishing the Climate Change Action Plan 2009–2011, the Climate Change Framework (2008) and are currently the editorial guide for the Local Carbon Framework 2011–2020 (in development)
Southampton	The City has established a city-wide partnership called the Southampton Low Carbon City Group to support delivery of our Low Carbon City Strategy. This group is business-led. It is made up of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Business Southampton, the University of Southampton and Southampton City Council. The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire is a formal growth point partnership of 11 Councils in South Hampshire. It has set a number of sustainable development, climate change, carbon reduction and energy targets and delivers projects. Solent Local Economic Partnership is being formed (at the date of survey). Hampshire Climate Change Commission is developing pan-authority programs for feed-in tariffs, energy efficiency, and in due course, renewable heat incentives

Ricardo-AEA. Emissions Within the Scope of Influence of Local Authorities for 2005–11. Department of Energy & Climate Change, London, UK (2011).

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