This report showcases how UK local authorities are delivering practical, locally-driven climate and energy projects across a range of services. It highlights growing momentum towards Net Zero as councils innovate in response to rising energy costs, climate, risks and changing national policy.

The publication features nine in‑depth case studies demonstrating real‑world delivery across retrofit, renewable energy generation, waste innovation, nature‑based solutions, and community engagement. Projects include:

• The UK’s first Passivhaus EnerPHit‑certified council office in Westmorland and Furness, significantly reducing energy use and operational costs.
• Hackney’s pioneering solar microgrid delivering affordable renewable power to social housing residents.
• East Dunbartonshire’s Climate‑Ready Park, which integrates flood management, habitat creation. and community spaces.

Other examples show innovation in:

• Benchmarking (Highland Council’s digital energy tool).
• Carbon sequestration (Lancashire’s biochar trials).
• Electric‑powered highways maintenance (Dorset’s solar‑powered hot box).
• Renewable energy on brownfield land (Bedford’s 4.2-MW landfill solar farm)
• Advanced waste treatment (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Solid Recovered Fuel system).
• Community‑centred retrofit engagement (Walsall’s school‑led fuel poverty programme).

Key benefits for local authorities

Together, the case studies demonstrate the breadth of local authority leadership in decarbonisation and offer practical learning for councils at all stages of the Net Zero journey. For example, they:

• Showcase practical delivery challenges and solutions, helping councils avoid common pitfalls and accelerate project design.
• Offer evidence of measurable impacts – carbon savings, financial benefits, resilience improvements, and community outcomes – to support business cases and funding bids.
• Highlight how energy intersects with wider council priorities such as health, biodiversity, education, housing quality, and social equity.
• Demonstrate leadership models and governance approaches that can be adopted or adapted locally.

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