Making budget cuts work for sustainable development

Students on the Forum’s Masters in Leadership for Sustainable Development reflect on their local government placements and workshop.

Budget cuts threaten to undermine councils’ work on sustainable development at a time when that work is most crucial. Fresh from one month placement in a local authorities, we brought together public sector stakeholders last week to explore how to make cuts work for sustainable development.

Nigel Keohane of the New Local Government Network presented the funding landscape. This was followed by 'How to justify sustainable development projects in the current climate' by Joe Baker, Climate Change Manager at Barking and Dagenham Council and Chris Reid, Executive Head of Environmental Sustainability at Sutton council. Participants went on to role-play ‘pitches’ to council leaders in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style setting.

The main theme emerging from the day is that since budgets won't be cut equally, it is key that councils use integrated thinking to recognise the myriad of benefits sustainability projects offer, and tap into the funding awarded to promote other goals. Whether it is improving cycle lanes to address child obesity or retrofitting home insulation to reduce fuel poverty, there is huge potential to link sustainability with other agendas.

We were also reminded that since utilising these opportunities requires getting support from diverse groups, tailoring language to the audience is crucial. While framing an issue in terms of carbon reduction may get the chief executive on side, a councillor may stare at you blank faced until you mention fuel poverty. Overall the event was an inspiring reminder that holistic thinking and creativity are going to be more important than ever before to achieve a more sustainable way of life – something future leaders in all sectors need to remember.