Dr Colin Nolden will be working with Professor Morag McDermont (University of BristolLaw School) and Dr Jacob Barnes (University of Oxford) to explore how national climate law is translated into local net zero implementation, the evidence base around this process, and pathways to improve it.

At a national level, the Net Zero Strategy, the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the recent Net Zero Review provide policies, strategies and recommendations to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reach net zero.

At a local level, over two-thirds of UK local authorities have declared climate emergencies and drafted climate action plans which are considered ‘locally determined contributions’ by the Climate Change Committee, an independent statutory body established to advise the UK and devolved governments onemissions targets.

However, while the Committee acknowledges the significant role that local policymakers can play in the near-term delivery of net zero, there is no direct translation of national policies and strategies into local action and engagement.

Dr Nolden said: “According to the Climate Change Committee, “more than half of the emissions cuts needed rely on people and businesses taking up low-carbon solutions – decisions that are made at a local and individual level”. 

“Net zero policies, however, focus predominantly on specific technologies, such as offshore wind, or sectors, such as energy generation.  

“To deliver net zero, policies also require translation into local climate action. Otherwise, we risk climate breakdown.” 

To support integrated, multi-level, net zero governance in the UK, the IMPERFECT project will develop a system to classify net zero policies; translate these policies into local capability challenges and opportunities; and provide policy evaluations to show successful precedents as well as delivery gaps.