A new toolkit designed to help local authorities reduce their carbon footprint and ‘trigger the wider benefits of bold climate action’ has been launched.

The toolkit, developed by the sustainability solutions provider Ashden, proposes community engagement focusing on the co-benefits of climate action for all citizens.

Developed with sustainability lead officers from city regions, local authorities and The Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, the toolkit also promotes useful data sources and evidence that will help councils deliver cleaner air, accessible public transport, warm homes, and better health.

‘Our network of city sustainability leads agrees with us that a co-benefits approach can engage citizens, persuade key decision makers, and release new funding,’ said Simon Brammer, head of cities at Ashden.

‘The toolkit is a one-stop source of vital information to help local authorities and city regions make the case for a radical step up of decarbonisation effort whilst improving local lives.

‘By engaging people through structures like citizens’ panels and connecting climate policy to the needs of everyone, we can demonstrate that climate action improves lives rather than diminish them.

‘Better jobs, more money in local economies, clean air, healthier travel options, green spaces, and warm and cheap-to-heat homes – all these engage peoples’ values.

‘This approach is at the heart of our Co-Benefits Toolkit.’