Locally Determined Contributions (LDC)

Our Policy team worked with partners to develop a framework supporting local authorities in achieving net zero in ways that align with and reinforce national ambitions. The project received funding under Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme.

Beginning in February 2024, the team researched and developed a governance framework designed to help local authorities effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions while aligning with national climate change objectives and accounting and reporting protocols. The project, known as Locally Determined Contributions, built upon the findings of the Skidmore Review of the UK’s net zero strategy, which emphasised the critical role of local government leadership and place-based action in addressing the climate crisis.

This guidance framework is now published as a PDF report, providing free access to the principles and methodology. In the future, it will also be available as an interactive web tool, enabling users to explore and apply the framework more easily across local governance contexts.

view guidance framework

This next stage will enable the Locally Determined Contributions project funded by Innovate UK to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and build on the strong foundations established at Hughes Hall. We encourage you to follow its progress and stay connected through the following link:

LDC Toolkit

Coming soon! Our free online toolkit will be published soon and available for public use and reference. To discuss using the toolkit in your area, please contact Dr Karen Barrass

Although the initial project was based and driven by partners across Cambridgeshire, it is anticipated that the resulting framework will serve as a model for local authority roadmaps nationwide. CCE worked with the following partners to create the framework: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, Peterborough City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Collaborate CIC.

UK policy analysis

CCE has provided policy analysis for partners in Cambridge, the UK, and internationally. We collaborated with the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) to produce reports for the Cambridge Zero Policy Forum, a multidisciplinary network of senior academics contributing evidence and expertise to policies supporting a sustainable, inclusive and resilient net zero society.

Our reports for Chapter Zero helped UK-based non-executive directors stay informed on key climate policy updates relevant to their businesses. We also created content for the Climate Governance Initiative, a global network of board directors with Chapters in over 70 countries, including COP event briefings and summaries, and transition planning navigator tools.

The Centre also looks for opportunities to respond to climate-related policy consultations, often bringing in academic researchers to provide evidence to support our proposals. By engaging with these consultations, we help ensure that climate-related legislation and governance frameworks are informed by the latest research and expert analysis.

Our responses highlight legal, economic and regulatory challenges, offering decision makers practical insights to strengthen climate action.