Our recommendations

Although our recommendations have been informed by our findings across the four councils, we consider they will be relevant to achieving climate change objectives and demonstrating accountability for all councils. We encourage all councils to consider these recommendations.

We recommend that councils:

1. take opportunities to collaborate with and assist each other to understand the current and likely impacts of a changing climate on their infrastructure and communities;
2. make clear in climate strategies what their climate-related objectives are, how they intend to achieve those objectives, how they will use their strategies to set priorities, and how they will measure and report on progress in implementing their strategies;
3. strengthen the use of performance measures that reflect climate-related strategic objectives and priorities;
4. clearly set out how climate-related activities will be governed and ensure that staff understand what information the relevant governance body needs to govern effectively; and
5. report publicly on progress with their climate change strategies and work programmes, to support accountability and so communities are well-informed, engaged, and supportive.