The top five performing local authorities were: Southampton, Kingston-upon-Hull, Peterborough, Leeds and Coventry.
The Local Authority Energy Efficiency Index, supported by the UK Green Building Council, enables officials, councillors and other interested parties to measure their work on energy efficiency against other areas, and find ways to overcome barriers they may be facing.
“Councils are often at the frontline of delivering energy services, and tend to be trusted by residents and businesses. Many have done this extremely well, with very little resources," said John Alker, Director of Policy and Communications at the UK Green Building Council.
“This Index not only praises those leading Local Authorities, but by highlighting best practice and exploring barriers, it offers advice and strategies for those councils eager to make greater progress. Central Government should support this by seeing Councils as a route through which to deliver capital investment in the energy efficiency of our built environment,” he continued.
The 25 local authorities cover a range of metropolitan, London and unitary authorities, as well as a range of geographies and diverse socio-economic conditions. They have been scored on a number of indicators, including energy efficiency in the community and housing, as well as energy management within their own buildings and the energy infrastructure that they oversee.
The Index also offers each individual authority potential strategies to improve energy management in their area based on their current score.
“The Local Authority Energy Index looks at these successes and also seeks to better understand the barriers that have prevented some councils from doing more," said Chris Witte, Marketing Director at Knauf Insulation Northern Europe. "By assessing successful solutions, we hope that the health benefits of warmer homes, and the local economic benefits of improving houses and other buildings, can be felt across the country.
“We foresee this Energy Index will add to existing knowledge and help to share best practice by benchmarking progress and activity, as well as offering a platform for debate,” Witte added.
For additional information:
