Policy Brief: The power of Local Authorities to tackle food and farming emissions
Local councils have significant power to help achieve Net Zero. However, food and farming is missing from nearly two thirds of council climate and biodiversity strategies despite making up a third of UK GHG emissions.
This briefing summarises new research from Sustain into how UK local authorities are tackling emissions from the food system.
The climate, biodiversity and food strategies of 197 UK councils were analysed in August 2022. An interactive map of results is here.
Where national targets are in place in Wales and Scotland, councils were found to be doing more including increasing food growing and agroecological farming, driving down food waste and opening up school food contracts to higher standard British farmers. 21 Councils were found to be demonstrating exemplary policies.
The briefing includes recommendations for national governments to unlock the potential of councils, including for a Sustainable Food Partnership in every area.
In addition to this briefing, you can download the full report or explore the interactive map to find out how your local council is performing.

Policy Brief: The power of Local Authorities to tackle food and farming emissions
3pp - 2022 | 292Kb
Published 23 Nov 2022
Food for the Planet: Food for the Planet is helping local authorities, businesses and organisations take simple actions to tackle the climate and nature emergency through food.