The report, commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and published by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) said supporting energy efficiency improvements in homes would be the biggest opportunity for local authorities to reduce emissions.
But it urged them not to forget to overhaul their own buildings and make them greener.
The report said local authorities play a "crucial role" in meeting national emissions targets, and that limited action by local government would put achievement of UK carbon targets at risk.
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A key message of the report was that local authorities have scope to influence emissions in buildings, surface transport, and waste, and the opportunity to reduce emissions in these sectors by 20% in 2020 from 2010 levels (30% on 1990 levels).
It also said local authorities had the important role of granting planning approval for onshore wind projects and ensuring that these are designed to benefit local communities, and through supporting investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, in order to 'de-carbonise' energy supply.
The report stopped short of recommending local carbon budgets, but suggested that local authorities should draw up low-carbon plans and asked the UK government to consider providing funding for sustainable travel.
The authors of the report also recommended that local authorities prepare for climate change, including flood-proofing buildings and infrastructure.
(NE/GK)
