We need a national framework to guide and empower action in order to achieve net zero, according to a recent report by an ECI researcher.
Dr Jake Barnes, Researcher with the ECI’s Energy programme, led the research and is coauthor of the policy brief: Empower local action on net zero with a national framework
The research, funded by the British Academy, found that to achieve progress and maintain public support to meet the UK’s next carbon budget, the new UK government must work closely with devolved, regional and local governments.
Dr Barnes said:
For too long, policy to address pressing societal challenges such as global heating has been seen as the preserve of national governments. The global nature of such problem gives rise to the idea that they can only be solved through national if not international cooperation, the mobilisation of large-scale innovative efforts and the development of high-tech solutions. This argument suggests it best not to duplicate efforts and that with limited public resources, policy can be most efficiency developed from the centre.
Our research challenges this idea. It suggests that to drive local changes towards abstract net zero goals, cities and regions need to be empowered. They need to be given the space and resources to develop local visions of inclusive zero carbon futures. This means reframing and expanding their role from being the delivery agents of UK government policy, to becoming critical organising sites where diverse locally appropriate responses to global challenges can take shape and grow.
Read more on the policy brief: Empower local action on net zero with a national framework
Project IMPERFECT (Implementing effective and just net zero policies) is funded by the British Academy as part of its Net Zero Governance policy programme. For further information on the research behind this briefing note see: Local, place-based governance for net zero: a review and research agenda