Mark Whitehead 08 June 2023

Council chiefs call for more climate change support

Council chiefs call for more climate change support  image
Image: Junk Culture / Shutterstock.com.

The Government must do more to help local areas adapt to climate change, councils in England have warned.

A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) of more than 300 councils in England found 93% identified lack of funding as a barrier to implementing climate adaptation.

Most identified the risk to people’s health from heatwaves as their greatest climate concern.

This was followed by damage to critical infrastructure and buildings, then widespread risks from power system failures.

More than a fifth of the councils said a lack of data was a barrier in addressing the climate impacts to communities and service delivery.

The LGA has called on the Government to enable councils to accelerate plans to adapt to changes in climate as part of its forthcoming National Adaptation Programme.

Cllr Linda Taylor, environment spokesperson for the LGA, said: 'The impacts of climate change are going to intensify into the future and councils are warning people and places will be left increasingly vulnerable without further preparation.

'Councils need support to prepare their communities for impacts of climate change now.

'The extreme heat we all experienced last summer is just one of many effects we expect to reoccur, the year before that we had significant flash flooding.

'Councils need the funding and resources to adequately reduce the risks to lives and livelihoods.

'As the leaders of local areas, councils are at the forefront of local climate action, they must be made able to protect their residents.'

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner