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<p>Half of English councils have committed to reducing their direct emissions to zero
by 2030, enormously supporting the ambition set by the Prime Minister. Local action
can accelerate deployment of new technologies and drive significant cost efficiencies
through strategic coordination, including vital new energy and transport infrastructure.</p><p>As
we continue to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic we need to ensure that our recovery
plans support our climate change response. By building back greener and better, we
can achieve our climate goals, protect our biodiversity and natural capital, and sustain
climate-resilient economic development, all in a fair and inclusive way.</p><p>A significant
amount of support has been made available for councils to act on climate change, from
heat networks to cycle paths to flood defences. Councils are uniquely positioned to
align local needs, opportunities and resources to deliver strategic interventions
at all scales. We will continue to work with councils to enable them to build back
greener and better locally, through an effective planning framework and devolution.</p><p>Environmental
principles are embedded in growth funds and the national planning framework. To give
a few examples:</p><ul><li>The £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and
Skills Fund is part of the Chancellor’s ‘Plan for Jobs 2020’ commitment to support
the UK’s economic recovery from Covid-19, supporting up to 30,000 skilled jobs in
the low carbon and energy efficiency sectors: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fpublic-sector-decarbonisation-scheme-psds&data=04%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Ccf029b39401941ed8e0808d89b896e77%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637430361844268487%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=lFKB6KH0EmakqR4T%2BLrJmPoOHEp31kL1uiPfy9yASAc%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-sector-decarbonisation-scheme-psds</a></li><li>The
Green Homes Grant includes £500 million for local authorities to improve the energy
efficiency of low-income households. This will help reduce fuel poverty and support
the installation of low carbon heating: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fgreen-homes-grant-local-authority-delivery-scheme-entering-a-bid&data=04%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Ccf029b39401941ed8e0808d89b896e77%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637430361844278444%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ptFrLAt8sTLZfIFWavcDOV%2FXBwIlbFLbuRzJDh43a5I%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-homes-grant-local-authority-delivery-scheme-entering-a-bid</a></li><li>The
£250 million emergency active travel fund is designed to help local authorities create
an environment that is safe for both walking and cycling in their regions. The money
will help create pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and
bus-only corridors. We want to support all communities across England who want to
change the way they use their streets and new guidance has already been published
to tell councils how they can give more road space to cyclists and pedestrians: <a
href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2F2-billion-package-to-create-new-era-for-cycling-and-walking&data=04%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Ccf029b39401941ed8e0808d89b896e77%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637430361844288398%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=da%2BxAB87gt0Vt7%2BXFZQ0KQVaSrWHwNEB8CP8rXLp%2Bd4%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-billion-package-to-create-new-era-for-cycling-and-walking</a></li></ul><p>
</p><p>Finally, MHCLG is supporting clean growth initiatives through existing funding
pots, including the Towns Fund and Local Growth Fund, and local institutions are using
strategic plans to support the UK’s net zero by 2050 commitment. My officials are
working with other departments including BEIS and DEFRA to ensure that green recovery
and clean growth form a key part of our emerging local economic recovery planning.</p><p>
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