Briefings and guidance
Resources designed to support local authority officers and elected members with actionable insights on climate change, just transition, and related policy areas.
For local authority officers
Latest briefings
Climate Action, Just Transition and Community Wealth Building
Provides strategies for officers to integrate just transition principles with community wealth building in climate initiatives.
Child Poverty and Climate Change
Explores the intersection of child poverty and climate action, offering practical guidance for local authority officers to align anti-poverty and environmental goals.
For elected members
Latest briefings
Climate Action, Just Transition and Community Wealth Building
Guides elected members on aligning climate action with equitable economic development.
Child Poverty and Climate Change
Highlights how elected members can address child poverty through climate-focused policies.
Elected Member Induction: Climate Change
Introduces elected members to key climate change concepts and their role in local governance.
Previous briefings
Net Zero Committee Local Government Report
Summarises findings and recommendations from the Net Zero Committee for local government action.
Nature-based Solutions
Outlines how elected members can champion nature-based approaches to climate resilience.
Research and reports
In-depth studies and analyses to inform evidence-based climate strategies.
Climate Change Training in Scottish Local Government (2023)
Investigates the state of climate change training within Scottish councils, identifying gaps and opportunities for capacity building.
Consultation responses
Official submissions to inquiries and strategies, reflecting the Improvement Service’s position on climate and energy policies.
Response to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Enquiry
Details the Improvement Service’s input on net zero and transport policy priorities.
Response to the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan
Provides feedback on Scotland’s energy strategy, emphasising a fair and equitable transition to net zero.
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Report into Climate Change Training in Scottish Local Government
Findings of research carried out by IS, Scottish Government and Sustainable Scotland Network in early 2023 to explore the current landscape in Scotland of climate change training in local authorities.
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Response to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Inquiry
Improvement Service response to the parliamentary inquiry into the role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland
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Response to the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan
Improvement Service response to the consultation on the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.
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Climate Change Case Studies
A range of case studies showcasing how councils across Scotland are tackling climate change, collected by COSLA and IS as part of the legacy of COP26.