Localising and decentralising goal-based governance for sustainability in England: Policy Summary. A report for British Academy: Shared Understandings of a Sustainable Future

Abstract

In the wake of COP26 held in Glasgow in November 2020, there is increased global urgency and momentum to create more sustainable futures. The transition to net-zero is central to these ambitions, yet existing national policies and strategies are often ineffective and poorly integrated with other aspects of sustainable development. One way to better support sustainability transitions is through broader approaches that mobilise diverse actors in collective deliberation and action to realise locally appropriate change. Our research explored the extent to which English local authorities can play a role in leading such goal-based governance at the sub-national scale. Existing research and action on goal-based governance has focused on the global scale, for example, in relation to mobilisation around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is growing recognition of the need for similar leadership and mobilisation at the sub-national scale. In England, local authorities are the only representative bodies with the political authority to lead concerted, place-based action on sustainability but to do this, they need to build broad coalitions for change. This represents a significant shift in the culture, role and practice of local authorities. In addition, civil society organisations are often wary of working with statutory bodies that are perceived to be risk-averse, bureaucratic, slow and top-down. Through a collaborative action research project in Cornwall, a county with strong ambitions to realise net-zero and foster sustainable development, we sought to examine the opportunities and challenges of localising goal-based governance for sustainability. Our project generated new knowledge and insights into the implementation and impact of localised goal-based governance, with important implications for policy and practice in other parts of the country.