Sustainable Towns and Cities

Communities want sustainable solutions. We help councils deliver.

Taking on the UK’s biggest climate challenges is about more than lowering emissions or. Upgrading our draughty homes fights fuel poverty and creates new jobs, while nurturing parks and forests protects us from extreme weather, and helps people stay fit and healthy. And by making sure climate action is inclusive, it unites communities and fights inequality.

That’s why we work with councils and communities right across the country: They are experts in their place, and so are well equipped to develop equitable, pragmatic, and targeted climate solutions which work for them.

But many of these people are struggling to access the support, knowledge, funding and connections they need to go faster. That’s where Ashden’s networks, insights, awards and consultancy come in.

We work with partners to charge up the best climate innovation, and make sure its benefits are reaching the most marginalised groups and communities – those at greatest risk from the climate crisis. Please join us to make that fairer, better future a reality.

Explore

Tools and resources for local councils

From our Co-Benefits Toolkit to Learning out Loud, browse our tools and resources helping councils deliver lower emissions while making lives better.

Learning hubs & networks

Explore our host of programmes and projects linking councils, climate innovators and local communities across the UK.

Policy briefings

We need a nationwide skills revolution to create green jobs and low-carbon economies. See how we're calling for urgent local and national government action.

Tools and resources for councils

Climate Action Co-Benefits Toolkit

A toolkit for city regions and local authorities.

Unlock funding with a business case built on the co-benefits of climate action – such as new jobs and better health. Includes local data, inspirational case studies and powerful videos.

Get the tool

31 Climate Actions for Councils

A list of climate action to help councils choose the right interventions for their communities.

Has your council declared a climate emergency? Do you need to develop a climate action plan? We’ve come up with 31 actions that can immediately help.

Get the tool

Learning out loud resources for councils

Practical advice & tools to help local authorities reach their zero carbon goals.

Bite-size portions of advice, featuring the latest tried-and-tested climate solutions for councils of every kind.

Search more resources

Consultancy: helping you create high-impact climate action

Ashden consultancy is rooted in our deep knowledge of tried and tested climate solutions, and the challenges and opportunities faced by local authorities.

Particular areas of focus include the skills and jobs driving climate action, retrofit to create energy efficient homes, and community engagement and inclusion. In these and other areas, we understand the hallmarks of trailblazing, effective and inclusive climate solutions. We also analyse the policy and finance that levers can unlock change at a local, regional and national level.

Ashden backs Warm this Winter campaign

We all deserve to be warm in our own home, but soaring energy prices mean that many millions of people in the UK are struggling to pay their bills. We’re calling on the government to act now to help people cut their bills with better insulation.

Learning hubs and networks for local authorities

Authorities and city-regions shouldn’t face this challenge alone. We know that strong networks are essential for turning bold plans into real-world change. That’s why we’ve created a host of programmes and projects linking councils, climate innovators and local communities. With demand for ‘shovel-ready’ sustainability projects greater than ever, our networks connect policymakers and funders with inspiring examples of proven success, boosting knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Local Authority Learning Hubs

In three regions of the UK, Ashden is helping local authorities work together to drive down emissions and create happier, healthier communities. Each of the three hubs has a different focus, chosen based on feedback from the region’s local authorities.

Find out more

City Region Networks

Ashden’s City-Region Network is a unique resource for climate and sustainability leads from England’s city regions and combined authorities. Its regular workshops allow senior officers to share learning, collaborate, and speed up climate action across the country.

Find out more

North of Tyne

We're working with councils in the North of Tyne to create a new way of developing policies. Using creative tools, we're helping unlock a new policy development methodology that delivers climate action and powerful community benefits.

Find out more

Policy & lobbying

Policy briefing: Delivering climate action with community partners

23 June 2023

Community organisations are already taking action on climate change, with benefits ranging from better mental health to action on fuel poverty, as well as lower emissions.

Read the briefing

Policy briefing: Solving the skills crisis

28 September 2022

We will not be able to tackle the energy crisis and climate emergency without making the UK’s buildings more energy efficient – starting now. This new policy briefing shows how local authorities can lead the way with the right support from national government.

Read the briefing

Policy briefing: Creating warmer homes

13 January 2022

Decisive actions by national and local government, as well as close co-ordination between the two, will be needed to deliver this retrofit revolution. This policy briefing aims to spur on that action, with inspiration and practical retrofit advice for local authorities and national government

Read the briefing

Blueprint: what we need from national government

We're part of the Blueprint Coalition, calling for central government to provide more funding and support to accelerate climate action and a green recovery at a local level.

Learn more about the coalition

Green means opportunity for UK SMEs

Small businesses told us how going green helped them grow their business and prepare for a financially secure future. Hear their stories and find resources to help your business follow their lead.

Our response to the UK green skills shortage

The UK is drastically short of the skills needed to build a low-carbon economy – particularly those linked to making our homes more energy efficient. But we simply don’t have the workforce to take on the job. The benefits of backing green skills are enormous

News, resources and events for local authorities

Our towns and cities bulletin helps you deliver high-impact climate action. Discover useful tools and opportunities, whatever your council’s size and budget.

Sustainable Towns and Cities

Communities want sustainable solutions. We help councils deliver.

Explore

Tools and resources for local councils

Learning hubs & networks

Policy briefings

Tools and resources for councils

Climate Action Co-Benefits Toolkit

31 Climate Actions for Councils

Learning out loud resources for councils

Consultancy: helping you create high-impact climate action

Ashden backs Warm this Winter campaign

We all deserve to be warm in our own home, but soaring energy prices mean that many millions of people in the UK are struggling to pay their bills. We’re calling on the government to act now to help people cut their bills with better insulation.

Learning hubs and networks for local authorities

Local Authority Learning Hubs

City Region Networks

North of Tyne

Policy & lobbying

Policy briefing: Delivering climate action with community partners

Policy briefing: Solving the skills crisis

Policy briefing: Creating warmer homes

Blueprint: what we need from national government

Green means opportunity for UK SMEs

Small businesses told us how going green helped them grow their business and prepare for a financially secure future. Hear their stories and find resources to help your business follow their lead.

Our response to the UK green skills shortage

The UK is drastically short of the skills needed to build a low-carbon economy – particularly those linked to making our homes more energy efficient. But we simply don’t have the workforce to take on the job. The benefits of backing green skills are enormous

News, resources and events for local authorities

Supported by

The path to a green recovery

UK Climate Champions