Cities & Local Authorities

At Aether, we support local authorities, cities and regions across the UK and beyond to take practical, place‑based climate action. Our work helps communities cut emissions, improve air quality and strengthen their resilience to a changing climate.

Our expert team specialises in gathering and interpreting local data whether on emissions, climate risks or community vulnerabilities to help authorities understand their challenges and opportunities. We translate this evidence into clear climate action plans tailored to local priorities, focusing on measures that deliver multiple benefits for residents, the environment and the local economy.

We help councils design and deliver programmes that go beyond carbon reduction, embedding wider outcomes such as cleaner air, fairer access to services, healthier neighbourhoods and long‑term economic resilience.

Through our global network, we bring adaptable tools, proven approaches and real‑world experience to support local climate action, air quality improvement and sustainable development in communities worldwide.

For more information contact Chitra Nadarajah, Associate Director UK Local Authorities.

Partnership with ADEPT

Aether is proud to be a corporate partner of ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport). ADEPT brings together senior leaders from local authorities to drive innovation in place-based climate strategies, and our partnership ensures that Aether stays at the forefront of emerging trends and solutions.

As a corporate partner, we will work with ADEPT and its local authority members to support practical, outcome‑focused local climate action. We bring climate expertise that helps facilitate place‑based solutions, strengthen local services and build resilient, future‑ready communities.

Together, we strengthen skills, spark new ideas and contribute to a shared voice that can influence national policy. It’s about leading change so communities can thrive.

 

Section icon

Core services

Carbon baseline and climate emergency planning

It is widely recognised that responding to the climate emergency and reaching net zero will require cross government cooperation, and that cities and local authorities are well placed to influence action to reduce emissions in buildings, surface transport and waste.

Aether has a suite of tools and detailed understanding of local emission data sets.  Aether staff have been involved in the development of the BEIS Local CO2 emission dataset since 2005 so we are well positioned to support Local Authorities to understand their carbon baseline and to model pathways for climate emergency planning.

Local Authorities hold the best knowledge of the needs of their citizens and opportunities in their area.  We work together with key stakeholders, prioritising and quantifying key policies and measures then presenting data in a logical and useable way to inform decisions.

Read more

Local air quality management & low emissions strategies

Aether is a leading expert in Local Air Quality Management (LAQM), with previous active involvement in the review of local authority review and assessment reports for Defra. We have provided independent expert review to GLA concerning air quality aspects within relevant planning applications and undertake many of our own air quality assessments for property developers and industry.  We are therefore extremely well placed to assist with:

  • The development of annual reporting programmes under LAQM including Annual Status Reports
  • Independent expert review of air quality assessments
  • The design and implementation of Low Emission Strategies
Section icon

Case studies

Climate Adaptation Plans Review for Scottish Public Bodies

Aether have provided an overview of the state of play of climate adaptation planning for Scottish Public Bodies. The study, commissioned by ClimateXChange (CXC) on behalf of the Scottish Government, aimed to facilitate understanding and learnings on gaps in public body reporting on adaptation, including gaps in information on costs and benefits. 

Risk Assessment and Climate Action Planning with Staffordshire County Council

Aether supported Staffordshire County Council to develop a climate change risk assessment and climate adaptation and mitigation action plans. The aim of the project was to provide a rapid, independent review of the council's work and to provide recommendations to strengthen the actions that the council would ultimately commit to.

Adaptation and Mitigation Planning for Tamworth Borough Council

Aether, in partnership with SE2 and Mesh, delivered a package of work to support Tamworth Borough Council to develop an evidence-based climate change adaptation strategy and mitigation action plan.

Runnymede Borough Council Climate Change Study

Aether, in partnership with Land Use Consultants (LUC), delivered a package of works to support Runnymede Borough Council’s (RBC) review of the 2030 Local Plan with a view to introducing stronger policies to address the impacts of climate change.

Ealing Council Climate Action Plan Multi-Criteria Analysis

Aether developed a multi-criteria analysis of Ealing Council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy (CEES) to support the Council with prioritisation and delivery of climate actions to reach their 2030 target of carbon neutrality.

Testimonial

Don't just take our word for it...

“ The support provided by Aether for this project was especially remarkable considering the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tools and methods used in order to engage local stakeholders really added value to the capacity building of the national team. ”

Shanna Emmanuel, Saint Lucia BUR Project Coordinator

“ If we have a need for any more reports in the future Aether will be first on my list. ”

Alan Hardy, Kyson Design

“ Aether delivered training workshops and generated learning materials for our SSN members, providing technical content in a manageable and comprehendible format. We particularly benefitted from their extensive knowledge and ability to interpret the needs of our members into the training materials. ”

Jennifer Anderson, Sustainable Scotland Network

“ We have been collaborating with Aether for several years, and our projects have greatly benefited from it. Aether staff are very knowledgeable, professional and flexible - and last but not least, very friendly and a pleasure to work with. ”

Umhverfisstofnun, Environment Agency of Iceland

“ I must congratulate each of you for your professional and tireless efforts. Let me point out that this has been the 'neatest' in-country review expert review team I have coordinated, and it has been a real pleasure. ”

UNFCCC Secretariat

“ Engaging Aether to support us to develop the first GHG Inventory System and first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the United Republic of Tanzania has been a rewarding experience due to their high level of professionalism, creativity, timeliness and value for money. We will definitely consider Aether in our future initiatives. ”

Abbas Kitogo, Programme Specialist Energy and Climate Change, UNDP Tanzania

Clients

DEFRA Logo EEA Logo Keep Scotland Beautiful Logo Kier Logo States of Jersey Logo TFEIP Logo Aberdeenshire Council Logo Aberdeen City Council Logo Bowmer & Kirkland Logo Environment Agency of Iceland Logo Weston Homes Logo Oxfordshire CC Logo Berkeley Logo Oxford City Council Logo

Contact us

Get in touch

Call us on +44 1865 259 200, complete the short form below, or go to the Contact page

Aether would like to keep in touch with you via email with news and updates. Please be assured that we'll treat your information with the utmost care and will not share it with other companies for marketing purposes. See our privacy policy.

Newsletter