In light of the recent IPCC report on the science behind climate change, effective case studies and best practice on climate action are once again in the spotlight. Local Government will be especially important to meeting climate ambitions, and knowledge sharing is crucial to ensure that Local Authorities are equipped with the tools they need to innovate, learn from one another, and find solutions.

Over the coming months, the IES will be launching TALK Board, a knowledge sharing platform to support Local Authorities as they transform climate emergency declarations and climate action plans into effective and dynamic work on the ground which aligns with evidence-based approaches. Find out how TALK Board can help Local Government in your community by getting in touch.

What is the latest news on climate change and Local Government?

The coordinated action we need on climate change across Local Government relies on best practice, knowledge sharing, and effective case studies. The IPCC report published in August 2021 reiterates a reality which will already be familiar to many environmental professionals: climate change is significantly affected by human activity and requires rapid and evidence-based action at every scale.

One crucial step will be to utilise Local Government and communities to deliver on the change we need. To help address the barriers which prevent Local Authorities meeting their climate ambitions, the IES has undertaken two projects: a policy report on climate change and Local Government, and a new platform to support knowledge sharing across Local Government.

As we prepare for the COP26 UN climate change conference in November, the IES is already organising events and briefings to give members the information they need to engage effectively in climate policy conversations. Find out more about how to address climate change at local scales:

• Stay up to date with the latest climate change event recordings by subscribing to the IES YouTube channel
• Read our report: “Transformative Action & Local Knowledge: Six dynamic ways to fight climate change”

How is the IES supporting local climate action?

While supporting our members through CPD, events, and professional registration including as Chartered Environmentalists, the IES also promotes the voices of our members within approaches to addressing environmental issues. The Institution takes any opportunity to promote the use of scientific evidence in decisions being made about the environment.

As part of that work, and to support the ability of Local Authorities to meet their climate ambitions and climate emergency plans, the IES has launched TALK Board, a platform to support knowledge sharing. TALK Board will provide:

• A single collaborative platform where case studies can be easily browsed;
• Case study overviews in one format with clear context, information about what was learned from implementing the project, and ways to find out more;
• A way to identify good projects to adapt locally, and to see what other Authorities have learned from similar activities;
• An opportunity to demonstrate which Local Authorities are taking innovative and UK-leading approaches to addressing climate change;

TALK Board will support IES members working in Local Government at the forefront of climate action, while also improving opportunities for all Local Authorities to benefit from increased knowledge sharing.

What next?

IES members have expertise which will be crucial to ensuring our collective success as we approach the climate crisis. We want to ensure that our policy work includes voices from across the profession in conversations with decision makers and the processes which will determine how we embed environmental science in the response to climate change.

If you want to help spread evidence-based approaches to addressing climate change at the local level, there are a few simple steps to take:

• Promote TALK Board and the work of the IES with Local Authorities in your area;
• Get in touch to suggest case studies of effective local action which you have seen;
• Join our COP26 community to support our wider work on climate change;

The IES will continue to work to promote approaches to addressing environmental issues which include the voices of science, scientists, and the natural world. Alongside projects like TALK Board and our latest report, our continued work will seek to promote the work of IES members on this crucial issue.