Five years on since local authorities across the UK began to declare climate emergencies, the ambitious net zero targets set at the time are quickly approaching. Many local authorities are making great progress towards their goals, whilst others are just beginning their journeys and it is clear that the energy and climate change agenda will remain a top priority for local authorities for many years to come. Globally, 2023 became the hottest year on record, with the planet’s temperature reaching 1.48C hotter than pre-industrial levels. This figure is dangerously close to the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting temperature increases to 1.5C. With the occurrence of extreme weather events becoming more frequent and the need for action becoming increasingly urgent, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge ahead.

However, it is important to remember that alongside the negative headlines, significant progress is being made, for example record numbers of heat pumps were installed in Wales in 2023, installations of EV charge points continue to soar across the UK and more and more local authorities are directly benefitting from renewable energy installations such as solar, with these benefits being felt both financially and in terms of carbon emission reductions.

Whether it is through online events, webinars, in-person events, energy forums or individual discussions, publications such as ‘Energy Across the Authority’, newsletters or through our regular briefing notes, APSE Energy aims to support local authorities by sharing knowledge and best practice. If you are inspired by any of the case studies within this document and would like to find out how APSE Energy could support the development or delivery of your project, feel free to get in touch and we would be happy to help. 

The case studies included in this document demonstrate a range of different ways in which local authorities are engaging with the energy and climate change agenda, a selection of ‘shorts’ have also been included in this year’s edition of Energy Across the Authority, with the aim of providing as much inspiration as possible for schemes of all scales. We hope that local authorities can take inspiration from these case studies to develop new and innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions.

This is the fifth edition of ‘Energy across the authority’ and the case studies from all five versions remain informative as examples for Councils to follow.