CCLA - The Power of Collaboration and Responsible Spending to Tackle Climate Change

Our Dialogues publications are a series of think pieces dedicated to specific subjects, supported by our partners.

This report captures insights from a joint County Councils Network (CCN) and CCLA roundtable exploring how collaboration and responsible spending can accelerate local government action on climate change.

It highlights how the Covid-19 pandemic acted as an accelerator rather than a driver of change, prompting councils to reassess investment, spending and governance approaches amid low interest rates and growing environmental pressures.

The report identifies six themes: drivers of change, responsible investment and spending, innovation, the use of data, engagement versus divestment, and stewardship.

Recommendations to both national and local government include:

• Use collective spending and investment power collaboratively to drive systemic climate action.
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• Embed social value consistently across investment and spending decisions.
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• Prioritise engagement with companies and partners to influence behaviour and outcomes.
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• Improve data literacy, transparency and communication to support better decision‑making.
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• Strengthen stewardship roles to maximise councils’ influence on carbon reduction and wider social outcomes.