Looking ahead, the sustainability landscape in the UK public sector is evolving rapidly. The pressure is mounting to not only meet current regulations but to anticipate future changes. So, what does the future hold for local authorities and government departments?

Climate action plans will become even more central to the way public bodies operate. Right now, many councils are working on their climate action plans to meet current regulations, but in the future, those plans will need to go further. Expect more detailed and robust targets, with local authorities increasingly being asked to show how they’re actively reducing carbon emissions across their operations, buildings, and service delivery.

The trend towards smart cities is likely to gain momentum. As technology advances, local authorities will leverage smart infrastructure-from energy-efficient buildings to digital public transport solutions-to reduce their environmental impact. This could mean everything from using sensors to optimise street lighting and waste collection to rolling out electric vehicle charging points across urban areas(1).

Circular economy practices are also on the rise. Local governments will play a major role in promoting resource efficiency, reducing waste, and encouraging recycling and reuse(2). Expect to see more initiatives where public bodies work with businesses to ensure products are designed for longevity and recyclability, rather than contributing to landfill.

A key future trend will be the increasing role of green procurement. In the UK, local councils must consider the environmental, social, and economic benefits of their procurement decisions, with a focus on green procurement. This is enshrined in the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012(3) and the National Procurement Strategy(4), which encourages the use of social value assessment tools and market transformation commitments. The Local Government Association (LGA) also provides guidance and resources to help councils implement green procurement practices(5).

In the coming years, sustainability will become an even more important factor when awarding public sector contracts. Local authorities will need to ensure that suppliers meet stringent environmental criteria and that they can track and report their own carbon footprints.

Additionally, there will likely be more stringent waste regulations. Councils will be expected to adopt circular waste systems, where materials are reused, recycled, or upcycled, rather than ending up in landfills(6).

The public sector is embracing a more integrated approach to sustainability, which will drive local authorities to innovate, collaborate, and lead the way to a low-carbon, sustainable future. For those who get ahead of these trends, the future could deliver significant benefits-financially, environmentally, and socially.

Bibliography

1 Smart Cities (Accessed May 2025) https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PN-0656/POST-PN-0656.pdf

2 ‘What is a circular economy and what can local government do to support growth?’ (Accessed May 2025) https://lgiu.org/blog-article/what-is-a-circular-economy-and-what-can-local-government-to-support-growth/ 

3 Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 (Accessed May 2025) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/3

4 The Procurement Act 2023: A short guide for suppliers (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/the-procurement-act-2023-a-short-guide-for-suppliers-html

5 A councillor’s guide to procurement (Accessed May 2025) https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/councillors-guide-procurement-2025-edition

6 Waste reforms briefing (Accessed May 2025) https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/waste-reforms-briefing