In October, Socitm’s Sustainable and Innovative Places conference focused on creating communities that work for people now and in the future. Local authorities have a vital role, but we cannot do it alone.

Co-chairing the event gave me the opportunity to create an agenda supported by inspirational  colleagues and organisations I’m really interested in collaborating with.

Earlier in 2024 Socitm published a report on how we can come together to achieve better places. It’s not just about the technology but it’s a handy place to start.

There’s much theory and policy, but practical solutions are already emerging in many areas.

Connected Places play a crucial role in addressing energy and environmental sustainability challenges.

Using technologies and data, we can: combat pollution for improved public health; identify opportunities for sustainable energy use in critical infrastructures; reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change impacts and ensure equitable access to open spaces.

We need clean, ethical, affordable and sustainable technology practices to create wider economic and social value and wellbeing.

With artificial intelligence (AI) and information, there’s potential for enhanced understanding of energy sustainability and environmental impact, but it’s a politicised area.

Local impacts of climate change underscore the importance of both national and local action. Vulnerable communities face increased costs and health impacts, necessitating assistance in transitioning to sustainable practices.

Data-driven, holistic planning informed by local characteristics can break policy impasses and foster collaboration toward sustainable outcomes.
 

Net zero

A quick recap: net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases (CO2 and methane) produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. 

Progress is still too slow to reach net zero targets without stronger global, national, and local action to protect people, communities, and industries.

Most UK public service organisations have declared a climate emergency and embraced net zero targets. However, they face pressure to dilute or delay these targets due to a downturn in global economics, a cost-of-living crisis, limited resources, insufficient authority to act, inconclusive evidence or just capacity to change and mitigate the costs of change.

Connecting green, sustainable, and low carbon policies to justify investments, will help 
to secure support for change.

The role of our governments and leaders

For national and devolved governments, these ‘connected places’ are the most challenging, requiring significant disruption to people’s lives and coordination between national and local services.

Local governments, have a coordination role with local partners, (public bodies, business, landowners, and farmers), set a lead in good practice and stimulate innovation through collaboration.

Politicians need to balance multiple interests in their communities and short-term versus longer term policy priorities. Without this balance there is a risk to public trust that will undermine political leadership and a willingness to change. When local and national politicians are ‘in tune’ with these dynamics they can better persuade communities of required changes.

Merely discussing the dangers of climate change or net zero targets won’t convince struggling families of the need to change. Neither is it sufficient to persuade industry and agriculture to change production methods in ways that could compromise profit or increase risk.

Effective uses of data to help change attitudes can include showing the value and benefits in real terms of moving to sustainable environmental and energy policies, as well as informing service design, models and methods that recognise the interests of people while taking a long-term view about scarce resources, climate change, and the dependency on energy in digital communities.

Taking all this on board, let’s look at what we are already doing.

Barnet Council‘s BarNET ZERO campaign

BarNET ZERO, launched in January 2023, set out to achieve net zero carbon emissions for the borough by 2042. The campaign emerged from a transformative shift following the declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency in May 2022.

What distinguishes BarNET ZERO is its community-focused approach, which actively engages residents, businesses, and stakeholders in a shared mission to foster a sustainable future.

A pivotal aspect of the campaign is the involvement of community ambassadors and the council’s inaugural Citizens’ and Young People’s Assemblies. Empowering the public to influence local climate policies.

By April 2023, BarNET ZERO surpassed its engagement targets, achieving 150,000 video views and 13,000 web page views, with nearly 40 per cent of residents aware of the campaign. This outreach has significantly boosted Barnet’s climate score from 0 per cent to 46 per cent.

BarNET ZERO exemplifies an innovative, community-driven model for sustainability, showcasing real stories and local solutions that resonate with the diverse needs of Barnet’s residents.

BarNET ZERO not only seeks to tackle climate challenges but also positions Barnet as a climate leader in London.

From overall strategies down to localised activity ward

Socitm’s Institute collects case studies so members don’t have to! It gives them easy access to examples of best practice, and they don’t have to start from scratch and reinvent the wheel. They can kick start their own projects with support from a network of people and places already doing it.

Greater London Authority’s climate risk maps (with Bloomberg Associates)

A series of London-wide climate risk maps has been produced to analyse climate exposure and vulnerability across Greater London.

Cornwall: responding to the climate emergency

The Doughnut Economics model has been used to respond to the complexity of the climate emergency.

University of Liverpool: digital twin for green building management

A digital twin model with energy meters and sensors to improve the energy performance of one of its buildings.

Hackney Council: connecting more people to local green space

Protecting existing local green spaces and developing new, good-quality green spaces.

Kent County Council: protecting nature through long-term planning

Planning to protect and recover threatened species through habitat maintenance, restoration and creation.

Lancaster City Council: Local Plan aligned with the climate emergency

The council conducted a prompt review of its Local Plan to ensure the policies it contains will help tackle the climate crisis.

What does this all really mean?

While organisations can lead the move to net zero and a sustainable energy policy, there is a role for everyone.

Public service leadership in connected places needs to define these different interests and responsibilities and orchestrate stakeholders and communities to take on the following activities to meet net zero 
targets. This involves looking at what roles, actions and timescales are required to achieve net zero. It involves looking at what support is available or required from public or private sectors, and at how change can be encouraged and supported, culturally and practically.

The biggest risk is that this is all just ‘too difficult’. The apparent lower costs and lower disruption of doing nothing can be the easy option when weighed against the positive but long-term impacts of addressing sustainable environmental practices and green energy adoption.

Public sector leaders and politicians need to be bold in their vision and directions. Recognising the need for public support and trust, yet not shying away from uncomfortable actions and facing up to vested interests.

Public sector leadership in connected places must play a pivotal role in tackling environmental issues to safeguard communities and pave the way for a sustainable economic, social, and environmental future.

This leadership entails making use of a robust evidence base, utilising technology and data to monitor environmental pressures and policy impacts and promoting behavioural changes.

Key actions for public service leaders

Key actions for public service leaders include overcoming barriers to adopting new operational models, navigating political differences without succumbing to populism or vested interests.

They need to coordinate actions across various domains such as water supply, transportation, green energy, and waste management, and foster public support while supporting business interests.

There’s also a need to counter misinformation about sustainability and green energy, setting an example through sustainable operations. Anticipating ‘tipping point’ in consumption patterns are critical aspects of leadership in this arena.

Ultimately, the transition to greener practices and lifestyles is imperative for the wellbeing of connected people and places.