Climate Emergency UK assessed all UK councils on the actions they’ve taken towards net zero. The Scorecard assessment consists of 93 questions across 7 different sections, created in consultation with over 90 different organisations and individuals. Each council was marked against these criteria and given a right to reply before the scores underwent a final audit. This work was completed between July 2024 and March 2025. Unless otherwise stated, council climate action from 1st January 2020 up until 31st October 2024 was assessed.
Key definitions
The question weighting determines the importance of that question to the overall section score. To ensure appropriate weighting to each question, each raw score for a question has been translated into a score out of one, two or three, depending on whether the question is weighted low (one), medium (two) or high (three). The questions that are weighted high are those we consider to have the biggest impact on emission reductions and a sustained long-term impact.
The overall section score for a council is given in the table below. The final score is created from adding up the overall section scores and applying the section weighting. For example, receiving a 50% score in Collaboration & Engagement equals 5% of a council’s overall score. This is because Collaboration & Engagement is worth 10% of a council’s overall score.
Councils have been scored across seven sections, each covering the important actions that councils can be taking towards net zero. The marks within these sections add up to make up the council’s overall score. Here you can see where a council performs well and not so well in each section — and compare it to other councils at this granular level.
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Anext to the score means the council is a top performer for that section. While anext to the change (versus column in the table) means the council is one of most improved councils this year.
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You'll find more options, like the ability to compare your council's Scorecard with other councils, and see a more granular breakdown of how they did on each question of the Scorecards.
Questions
North Yorkshire Council
North Yorkshire Council
Councils with full marks per question
2025
Versus
Difference
2025 results
Questions: North Yorkshire Council
Buildings & Heating
2025
60%
2023
0%
Difference
--
60%
0%
--
1.1a
Has the council completed extensive retrofit work on any of its significant buildings to make them low carbon?
Has the council completed extensive retrofit work on any of its significant buildings to make them low carbon?
Criteria met if the council have done any of the following extensive retrofit works for any one of its significant buildings: - created on-site renewable energy - whole building retrofitting, including heat pump installations - extensive insulation of walls and floors - replacing gas boilers or installing a combined heating system
1/1
NA
NA
69%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.1b
Does the council have a target to retrofit all significant council buildings (excluding homes) and has this been costed?
Does the council have a target to retrofit all significant council buildings (excluding homes) and has this been costed?
Three-tier criteria Criteria met if the council has completed an exercise to measure how much, approximately, it will cost them to retrofit the councils' building estate (to EPC C or higher, or equivalent) and there is a target date for when this work will be completed by.
First tier criteria met if the target date is before 2050, second tier criteria met if the date is before 2040 and third tier criteria met if the target date is before 2030.
0/3
NA
NA
12%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.2
Are the council's operations powered by renewable energy?
Are the council's operations powered by renewable energy?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council has a green tariff that is 100% renewable or if the council creates its own energy equivalent to 20% or more of its energy consumption through energy from waste.
Second tier criteria met if the council has a green tariff with Green Energy UK plc, Good Energy Limited or Ecotricity, or if the council creates its own renewable energy equivalent to 20% of its energy consumption. This could be through on-site energy generation, or if the council has built or bought a solar/wind farm elsewhere.
0/2
NA
NA
7%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.3
Are the homes owned and managed by the council energy efficient?
Are the homes owned and managed by the council energy efficient?
Three-tier criteria First tier criteria met if 50% or more of the council's homes receive C or above in their Environmental Performance Certificate ratings.
Second tier criteria met if 60% or more, and then third tier criteria met if 90% or more of their buildings received C or above EPC ratings.
This question applies only to councils that own or manage more than 100 council homes.
0/3
NA
NA
8%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.4
Does the council have a target to retrofit all council-owned and managed homes and has this been costed?
Does the council have a target to retrofit all council-owned and managed homes and has this been costed?
Three-tier criteria Criteria met if the council has completed an exercise to measure how much, approximately, it will cost them to retrofit all homes (to EPC C or higher, or equivalent) and there is a target date for when this work will be completed by.
First tier criteria met if the target date is before 2050, second tier criteria met if the date is before 2040 and third tier criteria met if the target date is before 2030.
This question applies only to councils that own or manage more than 100 council homes.
0/3
NA
NA
19%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.5
Is the council part of a programme or partnership to support home retrofitting, through providing the skills and training needed or in other ways?
Is the council part of a programme or partnership to support home retrofitting, through providing the skills and training needed or in other ways?
Criteria met if either: - the council convenes or is a member of a local retrofit partnership, that focuses on developing the skills and training needed for retrofit or sharing knowledge around retrofitting. Evidence of this partnership is needed. At least two of the following must be visible: 1. A named partnership with a public membership list 2. A terms of reference or aims of the group 3. Evidence of previous meetings, via notes, agendas, videos or in news stories
Alternatively, the criteria is met if the council convenes or supports a programme for retrofitting locally through providing training or skills support.
1/1
NA
NA
67%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.6
Does the council have a staff member employed to work on retrofitting across the council area?
Does the council have a staff member employed to work on retrofitting across the council area?
Criteria met if a staff member is employed to work on retrofitting for 3 or more days a week and is working on any retrofit projects, including council buildings, council homes or private rented or owned households.
Staff can be as a project manager or officer on 3 or more days a week. We would accept contractors as long as they are equivalent to 3 days or more per week (0.6 FTE).
1/1
NA
NA
77%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.7
Are the homes and buildings in the council area energy efficient?
Are the homes and buildings in the council area energy efficient?
Three-tier criteria First tier criteria met if 50% or more of buildings in the area that have an EPC rating are rated C or above.
Second tier criteria met if more than 60% and then third tier criteria met if more than 90% of buildings in the area that have an EPC rating are rated C or above.
1/3
NA
NA
0%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.8
Is the council actively enforcing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of homes in the private rented sector?
Does the council provide a service to support private homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient?
Criteria is met if the council is either providing a tailor-made advice to residents on home energy efficiency, or connecting residents with local tradespeople and suppliers for energy efficiency measures that can be carried out in their homes.
1/1
NA
NA
92%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.10
Does the council offer funding to private renters or homeowners to retrofit their homes?
Does the council offer funding to private renters or homeowners to retrofit their homes?
Criteria met if the council provides any amount of funding to any number of private renters, landlords or homeowners to retrofit their homes. This would include grant funding councils have secured from the Green Homes Grants and the Sustainable Warmth national government programmes if the council are administering them.
1/1
NA
NA
96%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.11
Does the council have a scheme to allow residents to purchase renewable energy cheaply, through collective buying?
Does the council have a scheme to allow residents to purchase renewable energy cheaply, through collective buying?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council is running a Solar Streets or equivalent collective energy buying project.
Second tier criteria met if the council is running a Solar Together or equivalent project, such as iChoosr or Make My House Green. Points awarded to any other scheme councils are doing that are on a similar scale to Solar Together.
2/2
NA
NA
43%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
1.12
Has the council supported local community renewable energy creation?
Has the council supported local community renewable energy creation?
Criteria met if there is public information about a council working with a local community renewable energy generation infrastructure project, such as wind, solar or hydro. Evidence of this could include: - Being formally listed as a partner on the community energy projects' website - Evidence on the councils' website of the council providing funding, land or other support to the community energy project.
0/1
NA
NA
35%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
Transport
2025
16%
2023
0%
Difference
--
Penalty marks
North Yorkshire Council incurred a penalty of 4% in this section
3 = Total score (3.92) − Penalty points (-0.92)
16%
0%
--
2.1
Is the council transitioning their vehicle fleet to electric?
Has the council set up or supported a shared transport scheme that can be used across their whole area?
Criteria met for each type of scheme where a member of the public can hire a vehicle (e.g. car/scooter/bike/mobility device) within the local authorities area.
The following schemes will be awarded points: - Car share scheme of any size in the area. Including: - Community car clubs. - Car clubs provided by private companies - Hiring of council vehicles when not in use - Bike share scheme - E-bike or cargo bike share scheme - E-scooter scheme - Mobility Devices - Wheels 2 Work scheme
Trial schemes that are active at the time of marking will be accepted.
2/6
NA
NA
0%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
2.3
Does the council have enforced school streets across its area?
Does the council have controlled parking zones across all the residential areas of the local authority?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council has a controlled parking zone across any area of the local authority. This can be for any time period stated.
Second tier criteria met if the council has controlled parking zones across the whole area of the local authority. This can be for any time period stated.
1/2
NA
NA
5%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
2.8a
Are there any low emission buses used within the council's area?
Criteria met if a workplace parking levy is in place by the time of marking.
The workplace parking levy does not have to cover the whole of the council's area.
For scoring purposes we will count a scheme as implemented if it is currently in place, or the scheme has been approved by the council with a date set for the start of the implementation.
0/1
NA
NA
1%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
2.11
Has the council approved, expanded or built a high carbon transport project since 2020?
Has the council approved, expanded or built a high carbon transport project since 2020?
Negatively Scored Question
-5% of the maximum possible section score will be deducted if the council has approved, expanded or built a road since 2020.
-15% of the maximum possible section score will be deducted if the council has approved, expanded or built an airport since 2020.
A total penalty mark of -20% of the total section will be applied if the council has aprooved, expanded or built new roads and airports.
0/0
NA
NA
63%
single tier councils got no penalty marks for this question.
2.12a
Do the NO2 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods within the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Do the NO2 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods within the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Negatively Scored Question - Two-tier
A council will be negatively scored if they have 25% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) NO2 guidelines.
Negative marks applied for the first tier: -2% of the maximum possible section score
A council will be further negatively scored if they have 75% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) NO2 guidelines.
Negative marks applied for the second tier: -6% of the maximum possible section score.
0/0
NA
NA
41%
single tier councils got no penalty marks for this question.
2.12b
Do the PM 2.5 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods in the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Do the PM 2.5 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods in the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?
Negatively Scored Question - Two-tier
A council will be negatively scored if they have 25% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) PM 2.5 guidelines.
Negative marks applied for the first tier: -2% of the maximum possible section score.
A council will be further negatively scored if they have 75% or more LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) above the World Health Organisations (WHO) PM 2.5 guidelines.
Negative marks applied for the second tier: -4% of the maximum possible section score.
-0.92/0
NA
NA
19%
single tier councils got no penalty marks for this question.
Planning & Land Use
2025
30%
2023
0%
Difference
--
30%
0%
--
3.1
Is the council's area-wide net zero target a strategic objective of the Local Plan?
Is the council's area-wide net zero target a strategic objective of the Local Plan?
Points awarded if the Local Plan includes: - reaching net zero as a strategic objective of the Local Plan - The council's area-wide net zero target date is also found within the Plan.
0/1
NA
NA
36%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.2
Has the council committed to building all future council-owned or managed housing to a high energy efficiency or operationally net zero standard?
Has the council committed to building all future council-owned or managed housing to a high energy efficiency or operationally net zero standard?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council has a policy to build new council-owned or managed housing as highly energy efficient or operationally net zero with the policy implemented from 2030 to 2040.
Second tier criteria met if the council has a policy to build new council owned or managed housing as highly energy efficient or operationally net zero with the policy already implemented or with implementation by 2030.
2/2
NA
NA
45%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.3a
Does the council require new homes to make an improvement on the Part L building regulations?
Does the council require new homes to make an improvement on the Part L building regulations?
Points awarded if the council has a policy that requires a reduction in carbon/energy of new homes within the councils area that is 19% higher than the Part L building regulations.
This would be the same as Scottish councils requiring "Silver standard" as a minimum.
0/1
NA
NA
39%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.3b
Does the council require a fabric first approach for new development?
Does the council require a fabric first approach for new development?
The criteria will be met by English councils if they have a policy that exceeds the minimum government's building regulations on the Part L Target for Fabric Energy Efficiency.
Alternatively, the criteria will be met for councils that have a policy with a space heating requirement that exceeds the minimum government's building regulations.
For Scottish councils, the criteria will be met if the council requires developers to meet the Silver or Gold building standards.
0/1
NA
NA
34%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.3c
Does the council set a requirement that all new homes to be built must be operationally (regulated) net zero?
Does the council set a requirement that all new homes to be built must be operationally (regulated) net zero?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council requires new homes to be operationally net zero with the policy implemented from 2030 to 2040.
Second tier criteria met if the council requires new homes to be operationally net zero with the policy already implemented since 2019 or with implementation by 2030.
Any date to implement the policy after 2040 would not be awarded points.
This would be equivalent for Scottish authorities to mandate the 'Platinum' building standard for carbon emissions for all new buildings.
0/2
NA
NA
25%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.4
Does the council require developers to carry out a whole life-cycle carbon assessment of new build developments?
Does the council include a policy in the Local Plan to create 15/20 minute neighbourhoods?
Points awarded if the Local Plan includes a policy to create 15/20 minute neighbourhoods. To meet the criteria the policy would have to include a definition of what a 15/20 minute community is, including: - What key services would be required within 15/20 minutes of new homes. - How it will be measured, for example 15 minutes by bike, walking, bus. As the crow flies distances will not meet the criteria.
If an authority has defined a specific zone where 15/20 minute neighbourhood policy principles would apply, like the main town in a rural area, then this would get the mark.
0/1
NA
NA
29%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.8
Has the council committed to avoiding new building developments on the functional flood plain?
Does the council have a minimum requirement for on-site renewable energy generation for new building development?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council has a policy for any minimum level of onsite renewable energy generation for new building development across the council's area.
Second tier criteria met if the council has a policy that requires 20%, or above, onsite renewable energy generation for new building development across the council's area.
0/2
NA
NA
11%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.10a
Has the council identified suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks?
Has the council identified suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks?
Points awarded if the council has a map detailing where solar energy can be built within the council's area.
Points awarded if the council has a map detailing where wind energy can be built within the council's area.
Points awarded if the council has a map detailing where a district heat network can be built within the council's area.
1/3
NA
NA
10%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.10b
Has the council approved any planning applications for new or expanded solar or wind developments, battery storage, or renewable district heat networks since 2019?
Has the council approved any planning applications for new or expanded solar or wind developments, battery storage, or renewable district heat networks since 2019?
Points awarded for planning applications approved for new or expanded solar, renewable district heat networks, wind developments or battery storage. A point will be awarded for each planning application, which has been approved up to a maximum of 5.
Solar developments must exceed 1 megawatt in capacity.
5/5
0/5
▲ 5
43%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
3.11
Has the council approved a planning application for a carbon intensive energy system to be built or expanded from 2020?
Has the council approved a planning application for a carbon intensive energy system to be built or expanded from 2020?
Negatively Scored Question Points deducted if the council has approved or expanded a carbon intensive energy system since 2019. A carbon energy intensive system includes coal mines, fracking/shale gas/gas drilling, oil drilling, and unabated fossil fuel generation.
-20% of the maximum possible section score will be deducted if the council has approved or expanded a carbon intensive energy system.
0/0
0/0
--
61%
single tier councils got no penalty marks for this question.
Governance & Finance
2025
39%
2023
0%
Difference
--
39%
0%
--
4.1a
Does the council's corporate plan include a net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Does the council's corporate plan include a net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Criteria met if climate action (alternatively called sustainability or environment) is listed as one of the council's core priorities or equivalent. It must have its own heading or section and a net zero target date must be referenced.
The net zero target date must clearly be an area-wide target, either the UK Government's national target, the devolved nation's target or the council's area-wide net zero target.
1/1
NA
NA
44%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.1b
Does the council's medium term financial plan include the council's net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Does the council's medium term financial plan include the council's net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Criteria met if climate action (alternatively called sustainability or environment) is listed as one of the council's core priorities or equivalent. It must have its own heading or section and a net zero target date must be referenced.
The net zero target date must clearly be an area-wide target, either the UK Government's national target, the devolved nation's target or the council's area-wide net zero target.
0/1
NA
NA
24%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.2
Does the council's Corporate Risk Register accurately identify the risks of climate change to the local area?
Does the council's Corporate Risk Register accurately identify the risks of climate change to the local area?
Criteria met if the councils' Corporate or Strategic Risk Register references the impact of climate change to the local area.
There must be an explicit link between climate change and the increased risk of extreme weather events. The Risk Register must link to or reference mitigating actions (such as an adaptation strategy or other actions).
1/1
NA
NA
42%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.3a
Is the council reporting on its own greenhouse gas emissions?
Is the council reporting on its own greenhouse gas emissions?
Criteria met if the council is reporting its own emissions and fulfill all of the following: - The council states whether they are using the Environmental Reporting Guidelines from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the GCoM Common Reporting Framework (CRF), the Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool (from the LGA), the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for Cities (Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories) to develop their inventory. - The inventory must cover a continuous period of 12 months, either a calendar year or a financial year - There must be data from at least two different years between or including 2019 and 2023 - The council must be measuring their own scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
1/1
NA
NA
56%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.3b
According to the council's own reporting, have the council's own greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2019?
According to the council's own reporting, have the council's own greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2019?
Four-tier criteria First tier criteria met if, using the councils' own reporting mechanisms, there has been a reduction of scope 1 and 2 emissions when comparing 2019 to 2022 (or financial years 2018/19 to 2022/23) data equal to or greater than 5% and lower than 10%.
Second tier criteria met if the emissions reduction has been greater than or equal to 10% and lower than 20%,
Third-tier criteria met if the reduction has been greater than or equal to 20% and lower than 40%.
Fourth-tier criteria met if the emission reduction has been greater than or equal to 40%.
We recognise that there is currently no standard way that all councils use to report on emissions. We will score councils' own calculations, despite the differences, as long as they fulfill the requirements in 3a.
2/4
NA
NA
3%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.4
Has the council's area wide carbon emissions decreased, according to UK Government data?
Has the council's area wide carbon emissions decreased, according to UK Government data?
Four-tier criteria Criteria met if the council has had an emission reduction equal to or greater than 2% from 2019 to 2022.
Additional points awarded if the emission reduction is greater than or equal to 5% and lower than 10%, or further points if the reduction is greater than or equal to 10% or less than 20%. Further points awarded if the emission reduction is equal to or greater than 20%.
2/4
NA
NA
1%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.5
Has the council adopted a new governance or decision making process to put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of every council decision made?
Has the council adopted a new governance or decision making process to put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of every council decision made?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if climate implications are listed or referenced for all council decisions at full council. Climate implications can be considered through Environmental Implications or an Integrated Impact Assessment if this includes a climate or environmental sub-heading or section.
Second tier criteria met if the council is using a detailed impact assessment tool to assess the climate implications of all council decisions.
1/2
NA
NA
17%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.6a
Does the council have a sustainable procurement policy that includes an area wide net zero target and makes tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Does the council have a sustainable procurement policy that includes an area wide net zero target and makes tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?
Criteria met if the council has a stand alone environmental or sustainable procurement policy, or a complete section on Sustainable or Responsible Procurement, Climate Change or Action or something similar within their procurement policy that makes explicit reference to the council's Climate Action Plan and clearly includes an area-wide net zero target date.
0/1
NA
NA
27%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.6b
Does the councils' procurement policy require tenders to take action to reduce waste, carbon emissions or other environmental actions?
Does the councils' procurement policy require tenders to take action to reduce waste, carbon emissions or other environmental actions?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council has a mandatory requirement for tenders to do any of the following: - Demonstrate how they will meet energy efficiency requirements or minimise energy consumption. - Demonstrate how they will minimise waste in their products and services. This could be through recycled, natural, biodegradable or renewable materials being used, through not using single use plastic or other non-recyclable materials or through ensuring products and services last for as long as possible.
Second tier criteria met if the council's procurement policy includes any of the following: - The council aims to source low or zero carbon energy wherever possible. - The council aims to phase out the use of fossil fuels from their council fleet. - The council references the waste hierarchy in its policy, for example by stating that it encourages the councils to consider if repeat procurement requests are always needed.
0/2
NA
NA
13%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.7
Does the council have a Cabinet member or Portfolio Holder that has climate change explicitly in their remit?
Does the council have a Cabinet member or Portfolio Holder that has climate change explicitly in their remit?
Criteria met if the council has a role such as Chair of Environment Committee, Cabinet Member for Environment, Chair of Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee or any title with the words Climate Change, Climate Action, Climate Emergency, Environmental Sustainability, Environment or similar in it. This role can be merged with another role, such as Environment and Transport.
1/1
NA
NA
87%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.8
What percentage of the council's overall staff work on implementing their Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects?
What percentage of the council's overall staff work on implementing their Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects?
Three-tier criteria Criteria met if there are multiple staff members employed on 3 days a week or more to be working on the council's Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects equating to a given % of the overall council staff team.
First tier criteria met if more than or equal to 0.5% but less than 1% of council staff work on implementing a councils' Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects.
Second tier criteria met if more than or equal to 1% but less than 2% of council staff work on implementing a councils' Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects.
Third tier criteria met if more than or equal to 2% of council staff work on implementing a councils' Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects
1/3
NA
NA
4%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.9
Have all senior management and councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received climate awareness training?
Have all senior management and councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received climate awareness training?
Criteria met if all senior management and councillors in leadership positions such as cabinet members or committee chairs elected before May 2024 have received climate awareness, Carbon Literacy or equivalent training.
0/1
NA
NA
9%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.10a
Has the council raised ring-fenced income for climate action from property development?
Has the council raised ring-fenced income for climate action from property development?
Criteria is met if the council has used either the Community Infrastructure Levy or Section 106 to raise any amount of ring-fenced funds for climate action, explicitly to fund climate action projects, including mitigation, adaptation, ecological and biodiversity restoration or enhancement. The funds must be ring-fenced for climate or ecological projects, created with money from property development.
References to funds covering blue or green infrastructure projects, sustainable drainage, transport or other specific projects listed in an Infrastructure Funding Statement is not valid. A commitment to climate action in Infrastructure Funding Strategies is also not valid.
In Scotland, the criteria is met if the council has used section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 for the same purposes as above. In Northern Ireland, the criteria is met if the council has used section 76 of the 2011 Planning Act for the same purposes as above.
0/1
NA
NA
26%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.10b
Has the council launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent?
Has the council launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent?
Criteria met if the council has launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent of any amount as a way to raise funds for climate action that the council is delivering.
0/1
NA
NA
8%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.10c
Has the council raised income for climate action from any other sources?
Has the council raised income for climate action from any other sources?
Criteria is met if the council has raised any amount of funds for climate action through any of the following: - Energy Service Company - Successful grants in relation to climate action (including active travel, bus or other public transport improvements, rewilding, waste reduction, or biodiversity and conservation projects) - Joint Ventures/Special Purpose Vehicles - Loans (including through Salix Finance or Public Works Loans Board)
1/1
NA
NA
92%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.11a
Has the council passed a motion in support of divestment from all fossil fuels from the councils' pension funds?
Has the council passed a motion in support of divestment from all fossil fuels from the councils' pension funds?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council has passed a motion supporting the commitment to divest the council's own assets or investments.
Second tier criteria met if the council has passed a motion supporting the divestment of the council's pension investments, which is an indicative vote in favour of divesting the corresponding pension fund.
0/2
NA
NA
18%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.11b
Has the council's pensions fund committed to divesting from all fossil fuels?
Has the council's pensions fund committed to divesting from all fossil fuels?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the pension fund has committed to partially divesting. For example, it has committed to divesting only from coal, tar sands or oil.
Second tier criteria met if the pension fund has committed to divest from all fossil fuels.
0/2
NA
NA
3%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
4.12
Does the council have direct investments in airports or high carbon intensive energy industries?
Does the council use peat-free compost or soil in all landscaping and horticulture?
Criteria met if the council has stopped using peat in soils in all landscaping and horticulture, such as parks and council properties. A statement that the council has stopped using peat compost or soil on their website or biodiversity strategy will be sufficient to meet the criteria.
0/1
NA
NA
18%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
5.2
Has the council banned the use of pesticides on all council owned and managed land?
Has the council banned the use of pesticides on all council owned and managed land?
Criteria met if a council has banned the use of glyphosate or all pesticides in parks and road verges where they have control. This ban must include the street cleaning/weed control team.
0/1
0/1
--
6%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
5.3
Has the council stated they are mowing their green spaces less for wildlife?
Has the council stated they are mowing their green spaces less for wildlife?
Criteria met if the council has stated they are mowing their green spaces, including parks and road verges less regularly, or if the council has stated they are creating wildflower habitats within green spaces the local authorities manage.
1/1
NA
NA
92%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
5.5
Does the council have a target to increase tree cover and is a tree management plan agreed as they grow?
Does the council have a target to increase tree cover and is a tree management plan agreed as they grow?
Criteria met if the council has a target to increase tree cover which has been included in the Biodiversity Action Plan and/or Tree Strategy, provided the council has agreed a tree management plan that details how new trees will be irrigated and cared for.
0/1
NA
NA
30%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
5.6
Does the council turn off or dim their street light network to reduce light pollution?
Have the council's parks been awarded Green Flag status?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if there is one Green Flag park but less than 4.
Second tier criteria if there are 4 or more Green Flag parks.
2/2
2/2
--
43%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
5.8
Does the council employ a planning ecologist to scrutinise planning reports for improvements to biodiversity in new developments, such as biodiversity net gain?
Does the council employ a planning ecologist to scrutinise planning reports for improvements to biodiversity in new developments, such as biodiversity net gain?
Criteria met if the council employs a planning ecologist on 3 days or more per week (0.6 FTE).
1/1
NA
NA
63%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
5.9
Does the council require a higher biodiversity net gain commitment from new developments?
Does the council require a higher biodiversity net gain commitment from new developments?
Criteria met if any policy within the Local Plan states that the council is asking for biodiversity net gain above the minimum 10% required by the UK Government.
0/1
NA
NA
3%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
5.10
Has the council introduced a Green Space Factor to increase habitat in new developments?
Do the council's climate pages include information about behaviour changes that residents can make, and are they easy to find?
Criteria met if the council website has climate pages that are easy for residents to find and include information about what residents can do to reduce their carbon emissions.
Information about what residents can do must include links to council initiatives for further support. For example, a suggestion to reduce food waste could include a link to order a food waste caddy.
1/1
NA
NA
80%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.2a
Has the council published a Climate Action Plan with SMART targets?
Has the council published an up to date and easy-to-read annual report on their Climate Action Plan?
Points awarded for each of the following criteria: - The council has published an annual report since 1st January 2023 - The annual report is easy to read - The annual report includes reporting on progress towards the council's climate action plan SMART targets.
2/3
NA
NA
40%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.3
Has the council lobbied the government for climate action?
Has the council lobbied the government for climate action?
Criteria met if the council has sent a letter or had a meeting with national or devolved governments calling for the government to take further action, or asking for councils to receive more funding, powers and climate resources to take climate action since 1st January 2023.
The criteria will be met if councils have worked on specific, climate-related issues, provided climate is cited as a reason to take action. For example, asking for measures to improve local bus provision will meet the criteria if reducing carbon emissions is cited as a reason to do so.
1/1
NA
NA
32%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.4
Is the council working with external partners or other councils to seek to influence national governments on climate action, or to learn about and share best practice on council climate action?
Is the council working with external partners or other councils to seek to influence national governments on climate action, or to learn about and share best practice on council climate action?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council is a member of any one of the following organisations or has contributed to one case study of the following organisations.
Second tier criteria met if the council: - is a member of 3 or more of the following organisations - has contributed to case studies with 3 or more of the following organisations. - any combination of the above.
Membership organisations: - UK100 (Including the Countryside Climate Network) - ADEPT - Blueprint Coalition - ICLEI - Carbon Neutral Cities - UK Green Building Council - Sustainable Scotland Network - Carbon Disclosure Project (including submitting to the CDP since 2019)
Case studies: - Friends of the Earth & Ashden case studies - LGA (Local Government Association) climate change case studies - UK100 case studies - WRAP case studies
2/2
NA
NA
51%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.5a
Does the council have an ongoing way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's Climate Action Plan?
Does the council have an ongoing way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's Climate Action Plan?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council has established a way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's climate action. This may be through: - a community engagement group - introducing community, resident or activist representation on a council climate change committee/group - convening or using a local climate action network to improve the implementation of their climate action plan - broader forms of community engagement work such as a series of workshops across the area for different groups of residents.
Second tier criteria met if there is an overarching framework such as a dedicated climate public engagement plan to inform this work.
1/2
NA
NA
27%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.5b
Does the council's ongoing engagement with residents include those most affected by climate change and climate action policy?
Does the council's ongoing engagement with residents include those most affected by climate change and climate action policy?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the council's ongoing engagement (under 5a) specifically aims to engage those most affected by climate change and climate action policies.
Second tier criteria met if the council's climate action plan has undergone an equalities impact assessment to identify who is most affected by climate change and climate action policies.
0/2
NA
NA
17%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.6
Does the council provide funding for community climate action, for example through an environment fund or climate action fund?
Does the council provide funding for community climate action, for example through an environment fund or climate action fund?
Criteria met for a ring-fenced fund that a council has created to spend on climate action locally, either in partnership with the council or for other organisations or volunteer and community groups. The fund must fulfill the following criteria: - The fund is at least £10k in size. Where the overall amount of funding has not been stated, it will be assumed that funds awarding individual grants over £1k in size have a total fund of at least £10k. - The fund is accessible to community groups, including, where relevant, parish councils. - The funding has been open to applications at some point since 1st January 2023, in order to include funds released in waves that may not be open at the time of marking.
1/1
NA
NA
65%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.7
Is the council working in partnership with health services on active travel, home insulation, air pollution, green spaces or other climate action policies?
Is the council working in partnership with health services on active travel, home insulation, air pollution, green spaces or other climate action policies?
Criteria met if the council has embedded health services into their climate change work or if they have embedded climate change into their health partnership work. This includes embedding climate impacts into the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).
1/1
NA
NA
79%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.8
Is the council working in partnership with cultural institutions and organisations to encourage decarbonisation within culture and arts locally?
Is the council working in partnership with cultural institutions and organisations to encourage decarbonisation within culture and arts locally?
Criteria met if there is a partnership between the council and local sports, arts and cultural partnerships, provided the partnership includes any one of the following: funding for climate work, evidence of co-creation with community groups, the decarbonisation of cultural buildings including targets, initiatives that encourage behaviour change such as sustainable travel incentives, or a focus on climate justice.
1/1
NA
NA
57%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.9
Is the council working in partnership with schools or other education settings to deliver climate action that young people can engage with?
Is the council working in partnership with schools or other education settings to deliver climate action that young people can engage with?
Criteria met if the council supports schools or other education settings by running any of the following schemes in more than one school: - EnergySparks or equivalent auditing schemes which require local authority support. - Solar Schools or other visible low-carbon interventions. - Democratic engagement work in schools or other education settings to connect young people to climate decision making, including establishing youth climate panels or parliaments and holding youth climate summits for schools in the area.
1/1
NA
NA
80%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.10
Is the council working in partnership with local businesses to encourage decarbonisation?
Is the council working in partnership with local businesses to encourage decarbonisation?
Criteria met if the council provides support or free tailored advice to businesses in the local area to decarbonise, including through collaborative measures with local businesses, other local authorities, or via the Local Enterprise Partnership.
1/1
NA
NA
87%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.11
Has the council passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising and sponsorship?
Has the council passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising and sponsorship?
Criteria met if the council has passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising on ad sites it controls by introducing a low carbon advertising and sponsorship policy or similar, or updated their existing advertising and sponsorship policies to include high carbon products.
0/1
0/1
--
4%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
6.12
Does the council have an ongoing way for employee representative bodies (including recognised trade unions) to influence the development and delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan?
Does the council have an ongoing way for employee representative bodies (including recognised trade unions) to influence the development and delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan?
To meet the criteria, the council needs to have either: - An employee representative (trade union or equivalent form of staff representation) sitting on the Climate Action Working Group (or equivalent). - An agreement between the council and employee representative body (including recognised trade union) making explicit reference to contributing to climate change related work. - Employee representatives bodies were consulted during the development of the Climate Action Plan and there are plans in place to continue engaging employee representative bodies in matters relating to the implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
1/1
NA
NA
11%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
Waste Reduction & Food
2025
53%
2023
0%
Difference
--
53%
0%
--
7.1b
Has the council encouraged the reduction of single use plastic at external events on council land, property or public spaces such as roads and parks?
Has the council encouraged the reduction of single use plastic at external events on council land, property or public spaces such as roads and parks?
Criteria met if the council requires event organisers to provide additional information about their environmental commitments that make reference to minimising single use plastic use or how they will be using items that will be recyclable, compostable or reusable (such as a cup refill scheme).
0/1
NA
NA
23%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
7.2
Has the council taken steps to support a circular economy locally?
Has the council taken steps to support a circular economy locally?
Criteria met if the council has done any one of the following: - Provided funding or space provided for a repair cafe or similar - Provided funding or space for exchange or reuse shops or similar at household recycling centres or elsewhere - Signed up as part of circular economy project
1/1
NA
NA
74%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
7.3
Does the council support initiatives to redistribute surplus food?
Does the council support initiatives to redistribute surplus food?
Criteria met if the council supports an organisation that redistributes surplus food within the area through funding, staff or other ways (such as being listed as a partner of the project).
1/1
NA
NA
70%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
7.4a
Does the council have a sustainable food strategy?
Does the council have a sustainable food strategy?
Criteria met if the strategy or work plan covers the whole council area (sometimes called place-based) and includes sections on sustainable food or the climate impacts of food. The strategy must cover 6 months or more.
0/1
NA
NA
34%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
7.4b
Is the council part of a sustainable food partnership?
Is the council part of a sustainable food partnership?
Criteria met if the council is listed on the Sustainable Food Places membership list, or, if there is evidence that the council is part of a sustainable food partnership that fulfills the same criteria as Sustainable Food Places membership. The council can either lead the partnership or be a key member, such as on the steering group.
1/1
NA
NA
56%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
7.5
Has the council taken steps to support local food growing?
Has the council taken steps to support local food growing?
Criteria met if the council has proactively created more space for local food growing through providing funding, land, staff or other resources to support: - community garden or orchards - schools to have growing spaces - community or city farms or gardens, including edible fruit/veg/herbs patches in public spaces such as parks, rooftops or grass verges.
1/1
NA
NA
85%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
7.6
Do schools in the council area serve less meat in school meals?
Do schools in the council area serve less meat in school meals?
Criteria met if there is one completely vegetarian day each week on the school menu found on the councils' website or councils' principal school catering provider website.
1/1
NA
NA
47%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.
7.7
Does the council provide kerbside food waste recycling?
How low is the councils' area wide level of household waste produced?
Two-tier criteria First tier criteria met if the annual residual waste in kg per household in the area is equal to or less than 400kg and more than 300kg per household.
Second tier criteria met if the annual residual waste in kg per household in the area is equal to or less than 300kg per household.
This question is scoring councils on the amount of residual waste (kg) per household in each council area.
For England, Northern Ireland and Wales, 2023/24 data was used, as it was the most recent data available at the time of the assessment. For Scotland, 2023 data was used, as this was the most comparable dataset.
0/2
NA
NA
13%
single tier councils got full marks for this question.