By Clifford Huntley, research and development director at Solspan, part of Kensington Systems.
With ambitious net-zero targets, UK local authorities are under pressure to reduce emissions while managing tight budgets. In fact, nearly two-thirds of councils are unsure if they will meet their sustainability goals.
With local authorities facing mounting challenges to meet these ambitious net-zero goals, many are also struggling to balance the pressing need for emissions reduction against severe funding shortfalls.
The Local Government Association has highlighted a looming £54 billion funding gap by 2030, leaving councils searching for innovative ways to meet climate commitments without compromising essential services.
Meeting these goals is critical not only to combat climate change but also to improve public health and resilience, create economic opportunities, and foster more sustainable local economies. Reduced emissions can bring cleaner air, lower energy costs, and more welcoming public spaces, all benefiting residents and reinforcing councils’ roles in promoting healthier, more sustainable communities.
Investing in green infrastructure presents a potential solution, combining environmental savings and financial benefits. One solution could lie at the intersection of sustainability and fiscal responsibility: investing in green infrastructure such as solar carports with EV charging capabilities.
Solar carports, equipped with canopy-mounted solar panels and EV chargers, could create a consistent revenue stream on previously unused brownfield or developed land, such as car parks or park and ride sites. As demand for EV infrastructure grows this shift could enable councils to not only provide clean energy for residents and visitors, but also earn income through EV charging fees.
According to a study from the Local Government Association (LGA), councils can reduce dependency on outside funding by establishing “self-financing mechanisms” like these, which reduce CO2 emissions while increasing local revenue. These installations allow councils to transform underused spaces, like car parks, into renewable energy hubs that serve both carbon reduction and income generation goals.
Solspan’s recent Solar Savings Index analysis highlights the broader impact of such initiatives. Its research on 500 of the UK’s largest businesses’ car parks reveals that solar carports could offset around 578,933 tonnes of CO2 annually, resulting in energy savings valued at over £1.4 billion across the next decade.
Expanding this approach to local authorities offers substantial environmental benefits and financial savings. Even in the UK, known for its grey skies, cities like London, which sees around 1,526 hours of sun annually provide reliable solar generation potential for solar carports to support EV charging and other municipal needs.
This model is already gaining traction in Europe, where countries like France have enacted legislation requiring solar canopies over all new large car parks, demonstrating a scalable solution to meet both environmental and infrastructure demands.
In addition to solar carports, councils can explore other green financing mechanisms like green bonds in public-private partnerships, which are increasingly being highlighted in UK policy as crucial tools for funding infrastructure projects that mitigate emissions.
A recent UK Parliament briefing outlined how councils can use such partnerships to attract investment for sustainable projects, allowing them to fund new infrastructure without drawing on general tax revenue. Solar carports and similar projects can thus become self-sustaining assets, freeing up financial resources for essential services or future sustainability projects.
This approach strengthens local economies by creating sustainable jobs and fostering community buy-in around renewable energy initiatives. As the Climate Change Committee’s guidance for local authorities explains, councils can set an example in carbon reduction while stimulating local economic activity.
Looking forward, councils that invest in green infrastructure like solar carports not only address immediate carbon and financial pressures but set a precedent for sustainable urban development. This approach enables councils to proactively manage their budgets, reduce emissions, and build community resilience for a greener, more self-sufficient future.
