Levelling up through climate action: A once in a lifetime opportunity to make sure no neighbourhood is ‘left behind’
This report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods explores how communities can be supported at the local level to better adapt and respond to the climate emergency.
How can people in ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods play their part in – and benefit from – the UK transition away from fossil fuels?
This report reflects on new polling by Survation which finds that more than four in five people living in ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods are concerned about climate change. While a sizable majority (68 per cent) believe the transition to net zero will be beneficial for their area, 62 per cent would like to see more local control over the process.
Key findings and recommendations:
- Communities need long-term and steady investment in local capacity building to thrive in a time of transition. Empowering communities to plan and manage their own neighbourhoods will ensure they buy into and have full ownership of the net zero agenda.
- A dormant assets-funded Community Wealth Fund should be created to invest in vital social infrastructure and to support local leadership on climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
- In addition, a Just Transition Fund targeted specifically at ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods would facilitate practical steps towards net zero, including insulating homes and helping local small businesses to adapt to the transition.
Local Trust acted as secretariat to the APPG for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods over the course of its activities in the 2019-2024 parliament.
