Huw Russell is a practising solicitor who trained in private practice
The LGA, in partnership with the Crown Commercial Service, hosted a virtual event showcasing the latest updates to the Greenhouse Gas Accounting Toolkit and Waste Emissions Calculator. Attendees learned how these easy-to-use tools help local authorities report emissions accurately, cost-effectively, and in line with evolving reporting requirements.
This virtual event provided an overview of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting Toolkit and the Waste Emissions Calculator, along with the latest updates to both. Attendees heard from users of both tools and learned how they had supported organisations and projects in emissions reporting.
For new users, the event offered an introduction to how the tools could support emissions reporting, including demonstrations of both.
The most recent updates included a refreshed format for reporting tables and charts, updated emissions factors, improved Scope 3 reporting functionality in the GHG Accounting Toolkit, and enhanced boundary-setting guidance. The Waste Emissions Calculator featured updated emissions factors, clearer guidance, and improved alignment with wider reporting requirements.
These straightforward and easy-to-use tools enabled local authorities to robustly report their own greenhouse gas emissions without incurring an annual burden in consultancy costs.
This sustainability virtual event was delivered by the LGA, funded by and in partnership with the Crown Commercial Service. For more information on the Sustainability Programme, please visit the website or get in touch via sustainability@local.gov.uk.
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With recent heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts highlighting the growing impacts of climate change, it’s more important than ever for councils to understand and prepare for climate risks. Explore our two newly updated climate adaptation resources, both revised and refreshed to reflect the CCC’s Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk (CCRA4-IA).
The UK Government has committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, and 70% of local authorities in the UK have declared a climate emergency. Net zero cannot be achieved without adaptation.
Adaptation (in climate change context) is otherwise known as resilience or preparedness. Resilience is the ambition, adaptation is the method.
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Following user feedback we have updated the previously named risk register generator.
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool has been developed by Local Partnerships in collaboration with the Local Government Association (LGA) to provide councils with a straightforward and consistent approach for calculating their carbon baseline and annual emissions reporting.
For assistance and feedback, please email ghgaccounting@localpartnerships.gov.uk
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