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    Spatial determinants of local government action on climate change: an analysis of local authorities in England

    Mann, Sarah and Briant, Rebecca M. and Gibin, Maurizio (2014) Spatial determinants of local government action on climate change: an analysis of local authorities in England. Local Environment 19 (8), pp. 837-867. ISSN 1354-9839.

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    Abstract

    The engagement of UK local authorities is vital if national government is to meet its climate change commitments. However, with no mandatory targets at local government level, other drivers must explain engagement. Using a Geographic Information System, this study compares the spatial distribution of action on climate change based on past actions and stated intentions to a suite of relevant independent variables. The Action Index created is among the first to quantify climate change engagement beyond a simple binary measure and provides a useful comparative study to recent work in the US. The Index enables investigation of both mitigation and adaptation, which show different trends in relation to some variables. The study shows that action is strongest where the voting habits of the local population suggest environmental concern and where neighbouring local authorities are also engaging in action on climate change. Physical vulnerability to the effects of climate change is a motivator for action only where the dangers are obvious. Action is less likely where other resource intensive issues such as crime and housing exist within a local authority area.

    Metadata

    Item Type: Article
    Keyword(s) / Subject(s): local government, mitigation, adaptation, climate change
    School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
    Research Centres and Institutes: Research in Environment and Sustainability, Centre for
    Depositing User: Administrator
    Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2013 14:49
    Last Modified: 10 May 2024 15:23
    URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/5942

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