Report

Living and working more sustainably in a greener economy – evidence review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI highlights the critical challenges facing local governments in creating a sustainable, green economy.

Climate change is increasingly impacting the world, with global temperatures 1.28°C above pre-industrial levels as of 2024. In the UK, nature is suffering, with a 19% average decline in wildlife since 1970 and nearly one in six species at risk of extinction. The international goal is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with interim targets set for 2030 and 2040. The UK has been a leader in adopting net-zero policies, aiming for a 68% reduction in emissions and 95% clean energy generation by 2030. Scotland has an even more ambitious target of net-zero by 2045.

This evidence review by Dr Matt Lyons (City-REDI, University of Birmingham) examines academic, policy, and grey literature to highlight critical challenges facing local governments in creating a sustainable, green economy. Lyons warns that the opportunity cost of delaying action on nature recovery and decarbonisation is significant and often overlooked in policy discussions.