Hannah Bartram: How the Devo Bill Could Undermine Our Climate Goals

Hannah Bartram, the CEO of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (Adept), emphasizes the importance of environmental considerations in local governance.

Last year, a white paper on devolution sparked hope. It promised to strengthen local leadership. However, the current design of the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill is disappointing. It lacks clear guidelines for local councils on how to incorporate climate and environmental strategies.

This omission isn’t just a detail; it could undermine national efforts on environmental improvement and sustainability. Local councils are already dealing with financial strains and service delivery challenges. If the bill remains unchanged, crucial climate initiatives may get sidelined, even while communities face the immediate effects of climate change.

Adept believes local governments are best positioned to lead environmental efforts. The recent white paper recognized climate action as essential for local authorities. It stated that environmental leadership is vital for facing climate and nature crises.

“Environment and climate must be part of local decision-making, not optional extras.”

Despite mentioning climate as one of the bill’s key areas, the legislation lacks specific powers related to this. This is alarming. Without legal backing, environmental concerns risk being ignored, especially in regions undergoing local government changes.

Ann Carruthers, Adept’s president for 2024-25, noted that environment and economic growth are interconnected. For communities to thrive sustainably, environmental considerations must be integral to local governance, not treated as an afterthought.

So, what needs to change? At the very least, the bill should reflect the commitments in the white paper. A clear requirement for councils to consider environmental impact, similar to their duty to improve public health, is crucial.

Moreover, local authorities should be mandated to align growth plans with climate objectives. They should actively support targets from key legislation like the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Environment Act 2021.

This isn’t just about governance mechanics; it’s about equipping local leaders to tackle pressing challenges. Adept is collaborating with organizations like Wildlife & Countryside Link and Climate Emergency UK to push for meaningful amendments as the bill moves through Parliament.

Devolution is about empowering communities. Failing to embed environmental concerns in local leadership could delay vital progress when the urgency is at its highest.

Read more about Adept’s policy position on the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill here.

Hannah Bartram, chief executive, Adept

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