Markets

Cities & Local Authorities

We work with cities and regions to combat climate change and improve air quality, both in the UK and internationally.

We work at the sub-national level to assist municipalities, local authorities and cities to collect, measure and analyse evidence of emissions and the potential impact of local action on emission reduction.

Aether offers bespoke modelling solutions underpinned by decades of experience to support cities and local authorities with Climate Emergency declarations, Covenant of Mayors reporting requirements and evidence base development for climate action plans.

We work with associates internationally to ensure our expertise can be applied universally.

For more information contact Katie King, Director

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

Read more – Net zero support

Case studies

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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
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Case studies

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.

Luton Council Net Zero Roadmap and Climate Policy and Action Plan

Aether, alongside SE2 and associate Joanne Wade, developed a Net Zero Roadmap and Climate Policy and Action Plan to support the council in its vision of a net zero town by 2040.

Railfreight Energy and Emissions Calculator (REEC)

REEC is the first tool for the UK that can calculate, to a high level of granularity and accuracy, the energy usage and resulting emissions for a specified freight train configuration travelling on specified routes on the GB rail network.

Merton Council Climate Emergency Support

Aether and SE2 supported Merton Council in developing their action plan to meet targets to decarbonise the Council by 2030 and the borough of Merton by 2050

Lewisham Route to Neutral

Support to Lewisham Council to define the route to carbon neutral for the Borough

Browse all case studies

Testimonial

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

“ The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional. Where there were problems, they provided solutions. The team were working to very short time scales but were able to deliver a high quality piece of work within the specified time frame. ”

Sefton Council – for the Merseyside Atmospheric Emissions Inventory

“ 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

“ Aether was a great asset in involving/engaging with Member States experts on highly technical subjects regarding GHG reporting. Very clear communication of issues and results. ”

Andreas Pilzecker, DG CLIMA

“ Chris was excellent to work with and always very pro active in making suggestions, taking work forward and applying his considerable technical knowledge in effective ways. ”

Robert Vaughan, Defra Air Quality Team

“ Both the face-to-face training and the online version have been of high quality, with dynamic methods and a practical orientation that have allowed students to reach a solid knowledge base. The products have been delivered within the stipulated deadlines with an excellent quality and the team has always shown willingness to make adjustments according to the requirements of CONAF. We are very satisfied with the work. ”

Javier Cano Martín, Professional Unit for Climate Change and Environmental Services, CONAF (National Forestry Corporation), Chile

“ The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional. ”

Clare Bayley, Defra

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