A Local Lens

A Devolution Revolution

Devolution in England has accelerated with around 80% of the population expected to be living in areas covered by devolution arrangements by May 2026. In England, this takes the form of combined authorities and elected mayors, who have control over key policy areas such as housing, transport and economic development. 

In the English Devolution White Paper, the government has outlined where it believes that devolution can deliver on net-zero, including in climate and energy planning. Devolution can be a key enabler for effective climate action in England, allowing regions to tailor policies to local conditions and foster local climate innovation that national policy would struggle to deliver.  There is now a real opportunity for Mayors and local authorities to drive ambitious climate policy and shape a green economy. This article explores how English Devolution can realise this ambition.

What Does Devolution Enable?

Local authorities already have some power in delivering a low carbon transition. This could be through retrofitting social housing or reviewing planning permission for clean energy projects. Yet these projects are still limited in their geographical coverage, with councils often lacking the relevant funding and expertise to go further in achieving net zero.

Mayors can address this governance and resource gap between local authorities and central government. While elected regional mayors previously had no formal role in the UK’s net zero strategy, this is set to change. The devolution framework sets out seven key areas that Mayoral Strategic Authorities are to be given power over. Among these seven, four are particularly important for the net zero transition:

(1) Transport and local infrastructure – encouraging public transport and active travel

(2) Housing and strategic planning – ensuring sustainable development and energy efficiency

(3) Economic development – fostering green jobs and investment

(4) Environment and climate change – supporting local resilience and emissions reduction

In these areas, mayors can play a crucial role in areas that are critical to net zero. They can leverage the scale of their strategic authorities to coordinate region-wide efforts to decarbonise public transport services, ensure newly built homes are energy-efficient, or attract green investment and jobs. They can tailor these responses to reflect the economic, social and geographic conditions of their regions.

The trailblazer devolution deals announced in 2022 with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have already seen success in advancing net zero goals. The Bee Network in Greater Manchester has integrated public transport across the region, encouraging a shift away from car travel. The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched Net Zero Neighbourhoods, where homes are insulated, community solar panels are installed, and new green spaces are created in order to support low-carbon living. These successes should encourage an expansion of responsibilities, encouraging more local leaders to innovate and adapt to net zero objectives.

The potential economic advantages of a place-based green transformation are substantial. A UKRI report estimates that a net-zero approach that allows regions to adopt carbon measures based on their local characteristics could generate up to £431 billion in additional energy savings costs and wider societal benefits. Aligning regional climate policy with skills development, industrial strategy and local economic growth ensures that the benefits of a green transition are widely shared by creating jobs, supporting local business and reducing inequalities.

Current Constraints on Devo-Driven Climate Action

However, despite these promising developments, regional capacity is still limited. A lack of fiscal autonomy leaves local and regional authorities reliant on short-term, fragmented funding from central government, weakening their ability to plan and commit to long-term net zero strategies. Regional and local leaders need to be properly equipped to deal with the climate crisis and need to be trusted by national government to make decisions in their areas.

Furthermore, devolved mayoral authorities do not have a statutory duty to deliver climate targets. While many regional authorities have announced targets, these commitments are voluntary. Without linking responsibilities to national targets, there is a risk that these commitments become vulnerable to short-term political cycles. Linking regional responsibilities to national climate targets with clear requirements and expectations, would help standardise country-wide action. Without this climate leadership at a regional and local level remains discretionary with climate action undermined by inconsistent local delivery and prioritisation.

Looking Ahead

With the majority of England set to be under some form of devolution arrangement by 2026, local authorities and mayors should be ready to play a defining role in the UK’s net zero transition. Devolution is a powerful platform that is locally tailored and economically transformative, which has already had successes.

Realising the potential of devolution requires more than just ambition. Local and regional authorities must be given the tools to deliver long-lasting change. If national government is serious about net zero, it must go further in trusting those who are in a position to deliver it at a local level.