Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly growing waste stream in the UK. The UK is the world’s second largest per person producer of e-waste. This briefing will explore some of the ways councillors can help, including introducing e-waste collection points, running awareness campaigns, partnering with relevant organisations and hosting repair cafés in council-owned sites.

Trees provide vital habitats, are valued by communities, and offer shade, filter pollutants and slow the flow of water, helping to protect areas from heatwaves and floods. This briefing sets out how you can grow tree cover in your area.

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This briefing includes information on previous government action to protect our precious peatlands, Labour's plan for peatland, and ideas and examples of what you can do locally.

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This briefing includes information on government action to improve water quality, and resources and case studies for councillors.

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This briefing outlines how CEN councillors can design and implement a water butt scheme for their residents.

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This is a toolkit on running a campaign to achieve official “Bathing Water Status” for a stretch of water in your local area.

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Tackling air pollution has significant economic, health and community benefits. This briefing outlines sources and types of air pollution and what councillors can do to reduce it. 
 

Green infrastructure is the collective name for green spaces and natural features which deliver benefits to the community, including parks, woodlands, and allotments. This briefing looks at how to improve these local spaces for nature.

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The government is committed to cutting waste: Local authorities have a vital role to play in meeting government targets to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2042 and half residual waste by 2042.

Enabling more people to choose active travel offers them a cheaper, cleaner and healthier way to get around. This briefing contains information on how to promote walking and cycling in your area.

Small business participation will be crucial to hitting our 2050 net zero target. Councils are well-placed to help SMEs learn how to measure, report, and cut their emissions.

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A guide to responding to net zero motions, with information on how you can reduce a local authorities' emissions and create a net zero plan for your area.

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This briefing contains top tips for delivering a local green recovery and funding opportunities for CEN councillors.

This briefing contains top tips for greening a waste management system and information on the changes to handling waste and recycling in the landmark Environment Bill.

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Local authorities are well-positioned to help speed up the transition to electric vehicles by facilitating the rollout of infrastructure.
 

This is a briefing on improving public transport locally to cut carbon and help people get around. It will also reduce air pollution, road congestion, and enable people who cannot drive to travel more easily.

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Local authorities should only use ‘energy from waste’ when waste is unavoidable and cannot be reused, recycled or composted.

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There are lots of resources available to support local reuse initiatives: Reuse spans all manner of different products and industries, from nappies to electrical goods, meaning there are lots of ways for councils to get involved.

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From partnering with local businesses and neighbouring councils, to making sure bins are accessible and easy to use, there are lots of ways for local councillors to improve their recycling rates beyond the requirements in the Environment Act. 

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There are lots of resources available to support you to reduce littering and fly-tipping locally: From investing in more "binfrastructure" to running local campaigns to raise awareness and change behaviour.

Community energy can shield your residents from volatile fossil fuel markets and help councils to get to net zero in the most cost-efficient way possible. 

From sharing tips with local businesses and residents on how to reduce food waste to supporting local surplus food redistribution efforts, there are lots of ways for local councillors to reduce food waste.

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