Climate change has emerged as one of the top priorities for councils setting their improvement targets for the new-look local area agreements (LAA), according to fuigures published by the Local Government Association.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a local authority area is now the third most popular indicator with 104 councils including it in their LAA – making it the fastest growing priority. More than 330 councils have also now signed the Nottingham Declaration, which commits them to working with partners and local people to address the causes and impacts of climate change.

Chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Simon Milton, said:

“I am extremely pleased that so many councils are recognising the challenge we face as a sector of combating climate change. Local government is in a unique position to reduce greenhouse gas and take the lead on this vitally important issue.

“Councils have already demonstrated through the dramatic increases in recycling rates over the last ten years their ability to take action on the great environmental challenges. We now need to make the same kind of leap on climate change.

The LGA’s campaign – Small Change, Big Difference – encourages the sector to do more, seeks greater powers for councils and aims to influence public opinion and behaviour.

Details of the indicators included as LAAs can be found here