New report outlines the opportunities and challenges of the green transition
During a workshop hosted at The County Councils Network's Annual Conference 2025, EY launched a new report, undertaken in partnership with the network.
The report, Rural resilience: Challenges and opportunities of the green transition, highlights both the challenges and opportunities presented to rural areas in the face of the green transition and showcases leadership and innovation.
As some councils continue their work to help drive delivery of green energy, low carbon and regenerative economies, the work highlights that rural areas have often been overlooked in national strategies. However, CCN member councils are uniquely placed to drive the green transition by leveraging natural assets, supporting new industries, and building stronger, more resilient local economies, be that through the construction of new infrastructure, new jobs or investment in renewable technology. The report suggests this could deliver direct benefit to rural areas from the inward investment and economic uplift of the green transition.
However, the report warns that it is important to recognise the ever-changing context for local government. Fiscal pressures, changing political sentiment, public support, and the need for tangible benefits mean it’s important to ensure that the sustainability agenda is embedded within the broader context of job creation, economic resilience, and community wellbeing.
The report sets out practical recommendations for those councils seeking to help drive forward the transition, alongside recommendations to central government that centre around five themes:
- Coherence: providing clear, joined-up strategy and policy direction across government.
- Support: providing strong leadership while supporting local ambitions.
- Empower: empower delivery at a local level.
- Funding: Reform funding to enable long-term, needs-based investment.
- Unlock scale: Foster collaboration and shared learning.
The report emphasises that the green transition. is an opportunity to build stronger, fairer, and more resilient communities across the country. By focusing on what works for people and individual places, , local areas can choose to accelerate progress and chart their own pathway to a low-carbon future.
You can download the report here. CCN is committed to supporting those member councils who are engaging with this agenda, working with government and other sector bodies, while recognising each areas locally led approaches. We hope this report acts as a platform for engagement for councils, communities, and partners to continue to shape their own current and future actions together.
