Introduction

The key partners integral to the success of the Low Carbon Cities Programme (LCCP) were the main public sector bodies (local government, NHS, universities) with other major influencers of city carbon emissions such as housing associations, large businesses and appropriate consumer, community, faith and voluntary groups. Regional governing bodies and energy suppliers were also required to be engaged.

A clear city-wide carbon reduction strategy process (LCCP process) was used within each of the three core cities (Bristol, Leeds and Manchester), which included developing shared goals between the key public sector components of that city, agreeing governance arrangements and ownership, carrying out a carbon footprint for the city, identifying key carbon saving options, developing a tailored and appropriately resourced action plan and implementing the plan. The programme assists Government in meeting its commitment to engage with core cities and has developed valuable lessons and tools to be disseminated to all cities and local authorities.

Cities have a huge impact on UK carbon emissions, because of the numbers of people who live and work in them, and because of the example they can set. Proactive cities like London have demonstrated that where the governing bodies use their influence imaginatively they can have a very significant effect on reducing city-wide carbon emissions going beyond their spheres of direct control. The LCCP aimed to emulate and extend this approach, making it a model for all cities, towns, and indeed local authorities, to utilise.

Energy Saving Trust and Carbon Trust experience shows that key aspects of success for cities and local authorities alike include:

·    Local government commitment and leadership, both strategically and politically.
·    True partnerships with delivery bodies, including shared goals and targets.
·    Clear responsibilities for all concerned with clear accountability.
·    Imaginative financing arrangements with ‘buy-in’ from finance directors.

The LCCP supported this approach in core cities by providing inspiration and guidance to assist the city partners through the process to achieving carbon savings. The approach needed to be tailored for each individual city but there were clear steps along the way which maintained momentum.

Both the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust have considerable experience working in partnership with major cities. Experience shows that in return for a modest level of central support, for example one full time equivalent post funded by the Trusts, the cities can more than match this in staff time, political commitment and leverage funding to deliver results.

The programme kicked off during January 2008 and was completed by the end of June 2008.