Going Green Academy
In June 2019, the UK government committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. In November 2022, ahead of COP27, the UK strengthened this commitment by joining the Net Zero Government Initiative as a partner and signatory. This initiative requires participants to develop and publish a roadmap outlining how they will reduce government emissions to net zero by 2050.
Net Zero and the Role of Local Government
UK government departments are responsible for managing their own emissions and, with a few exceptions, have the flexibility to determine their approach to energy consumption, travel policies, procurement, and other sustainability measures. In its October 2021 Net Zero Strategy, the UK Government emphasised that “devolved and local government play an essential role in meeting national net zero ambitions” as they are “best placed to integrate activity on the ground” and inspire “action by local businesses, communities, and civil society.”
Identifying the Problem
In February 2022, DBG was made aware of a recent government white paper revealing a significant knowledge gap around net zero. The report stated that up to 80% of UK local government employees did not fully understand what net zero meant or how it applied to their workplace and daily lives.
The Solution – Going Green
To address this gap, DBG partnered with Oxfam and several leading environmentally focused organisations to launch Going Green (www.GoingGreen.co.uk). Going Green serves as a comprehensive green hub designed to support the UK’s transition to net zero. The platform offers a wide range of resources, including:
- Domestic and industrial renewable energy solutions
- Practical “how-to” guides for sustainable living and workplace practices
- A vast library of e-learning courses through the Going Green Academy
Since its launch, the Going Green Academy has been instrumental in training local government employees and businesses across the UK on all aspects of sustainability and net zero. Today, more than 100 local authorities actively utilise Going Green’s training services to build knowledge and drive meaningful environmental change.
Partnering organisations
