Climate change projects at local councils are rarely just about net zero.
Electric buses and bin lorries improve air quality and reduce noise, meaning less illness to treat and pay for as well as improved quality of life.
Building flood defences and managing water in the landscape stops people’s homes and businesses being flooded and supports farmers to grow food.
Getting insulation and new heating systems installed for people who couldn’t otherwise afford them gives them a warm healthy home and peace of mind from high energy bills.
Fitting solar panels on roofs and car parks to power schools and leisure centres (and buses and bin lorries) means more money spent on teaching and community facilities and less to energy companies.
More trees in parks and streets lift the feel and value of neighbourhoods, providing free shade and cooling effects in heatwaves, and fill our mornings with birdsong.
So many councils budgets and services are underpinned by the high cost of fossil fuels:
We need to spend the next years getting these messages across voters and communities, that local climate action is for their benefit.