Why local politics matters more than people think
Unfortunately, not everyone shares my enthusiasm for local politics. Turnout in local elections is notoriously low, in 2025 it was just 34%, compared to 59.7% in the 2024 general election (also the lowest general election turnout since 2001). This gap reflects a common misconception: that local politics matters less, or that individuals have limited influence.
In this blog post I aim to show the opposite - how local politics and the actions of residents, drive meaningful climate action.
How local government shapes climate action
A great deal of the apathy associated with local government can be traced back to a lack of understanding of what they actually do. Beyond bin collections, many struggle to list what their local authority is actually responsible for. Some of the key responsibilities, although they do vary depending on the structure of local authorities in your area, include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Planning - deciding what can be built where, how it should be built, and how it will benefit the existing community;
- Social housing - providing homes for people, often for vulnerable people, at affordable rents;
- Education - providing facilities and support;
- Social care - ensuring the safety and well -being of vulnerable individuals and families.
Once you understand the breadth of what local authorities manage, it becomes easier to see why they sit at the frontline of climate action. So many of the decisions that shape our environmental future, what gets built, how people travel, how homes are heated, how waste is handled, are made locally, not nationally.
In recent years, local authorities have often been ahead of national government when it comes to climate action. Following the surge in public concern around 2018, characterised by movements such as the school strikes, most councils across the UK declared climate emergencies and set ambitious net zero targets, the majority of them aiming for dates far earlier than the national 2050 goal.
This wasn’t because they were told to act by central government, but because they could see it was an issue their residents cared about. People understand that the issues their councils deal with every day, planning, transport, housing, waste, are the very things that shape a community’s environmental impact.
And despite the absence of clear national guidance, many councils have treated this space not as a barrier but as an opportunity. They have continued to update and deliver climate action plans, piloted innovative approaches, and shown their residents that climate action is a genuine priority. In a recent consultation councils supported the call for climate change to become a statutory duty. This means that they would have a legal duty to tackle the climate crisis. Far from shying away from the issue, the momentum remains to deliver on promises made to residents.
Pressures and barriers facing councils
When looking at how local authorities have approached climate action over the past decade, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of austerity. Between 2010 and 2020, councils’ core funding fell by 26% in real terms, and cuts to central government grants reached 46%. These reductions have had serious consequences for public services, many of which are now stretched to their limits. As a result, councils’ capacity to take on work that does not fall under statutory services, including climate projects, is often heavily constrained and closely scrutinised.
Despite this, many councils continue to push forward with climate action, even while managing shrinking budgets and rising demand for essential services. Their progress has been uneven, but the commitment shown across the sector is a testament to how seriously people within the system take the issue.
Why engagement matters
One of the most important things I learned during my time in local government is that councils do respond to their residents. This is especially true in areas where political control is competitive - councillors are acutely aware of what matters to the people who elect them.
Local authorities tend to prioritise issues they believe are ‘salient’ to the public. This is one reason why waste collection and road maintenance have been more protected from cuts than services such as youth work. If climate change is to be treated as a core priority, residents need to make it a salient issue too.
This is becoming increasingly urgent. The Reform Party is expected to make gains in the 2026 local elections, and in the nine councils they currently lead, seven have already scrapped climate targets. Leadership matters and engagement helps shape the kind of leadership communities get.
But people should also remain hopeful, there remains a real willingness across the sector to engage with climate challenges. Last year, the Local Government Association published a report developed with senior officers from 30 local and combined authorities. It highlights a range of practical steps councils can take, such as retrofitting social housing, improving efficiency standards in the private rented sector, supporting community -owned energy, and investing in green skills. These are areas where local action can make a meaningful difference.
How you can influence local climate action
So, what can you do? Like any organisation facing competing priorities, councils rely on evidence -based decision -making. They look at what matters to the people they serve. For example, looking closely at responses to consultations, surveys, and digital platforms. If you've never filled out a survey or signed up to your council’s mailing list, that’s a simple first step.
You can also follow your council on social media to stay informed about their projects and decision making. When I worked in local government, the comms team would compile daily reports of online posts about council activity for senior officers and councillors. The people that speak up, constructively or otherwise, are noticed.
Another option is attending a public meeting. Local councillors live in your community; they’re far more accessible than MPs, and speaking to them face‑to‑face can be surprisingly straightforward. And you can email your councillor at any time. Repeated concerns from residents undoubtedly prompt internal conversations.
Finally, the most influential step you can take: vote. Turnout in local elections remains low but the results shape who sets priorities for your area, including climate action. Addressing climate change can often feel overwhelming, especially in today’s geopolitical context, but local is a good place to start.
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