Local environmental threats revealed ahead of council elections

• Local authority-by-local authority data exposes environmental threats including flood risk, air pollution and fuel poverty.
• The data also shows where increases in solar panels, electric vehicles and heat pumps are bringing down bills and emissions, as energy prices soar globally.  An online portal allows people to access environmental records for where they live.

New analysis [1], published today by Friends of the Earth, ahead of next month’s local elections, reveals the multiple environmental threats facing communities across England.

From flood risk to toxic air and sewage pollution, the research examines the environmental conditions in every local authority area in England.

Friends of the Earth’s local action groups are using the data to highlight how people in their communities are exposed to environmental harms and make the case for the fair, green solutions that benefit everyone.

Key findings from the data include: 

* FUEL POVERTY: Birmingham has the highest proportion of people who are struggling to afford the cost of heating their homes. Those most affected are living on low incomes and in poorly insulated homes that cost more to keep warm. It is followed by Leeds, North Yorkshire, Cornwall, Somerset and Bradford.

* AIR QUALITY: Five local authority areas – all in London – have neighbourhoods where air pollution levels are more than double the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

* FLOODING: Seven of the ten council areas where homes face the highest flood risk are London boroughs. The others are Sefton (Merseyside), East Lindsey (Lincolnshire) and Hastings.

Many of the areas facing the biggest environmental challenges are holding local elections next month. Despite these threats, some parties are pledging to scrap the action needed to bring down bills and emissions.

Polling regularly shows high concern for environmental issues among voters. Recent DESNZ polling (Nov/Dec 2025) found almost 8 in 10 people were concerned about climate change (77%). And nearly 7 in 10 said that they supported government action to reduce climate change in the UK (68%), with 45% saying they supported this strongly.

Friends of the Earth’s Hope Starts Here campaign is bringing people together around the local action needed to protect the environment and create healthier communities.

The environmental justice campaigners are calling on all candidates to commit to solutions that benefit people and our planet. This includes bringing down energy bills by saying yes to renewable projects, particularly community projects, and investing in better public transport and clean air initiatives.

These solutions are already igniting hope in communities across the country and showing the power we all hold to turn concern about the environment into impact and action.  

·       Members of Manchester Friends of the Earth helped to set up Greater Manchester Community Renewables, which has raised almost £900,000 to install solar panels on ten schools and a community centre in Salford, Bury, Trafford and Manchester. Their partners receive discounted electricity, community shareholders earn annual interest, and profits fund local carbon reduction, energy efficiency and environmental education projects. So far, they have generated over 2.6 million kWh of clean electricity (enough to make 140 million cups of tea), prevented 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted from polluting power stations and saved over £200,000 on bills. 

·       Postcode Gardener projects are springing up in communities across the country to create wildlife-friendly pockets of green in more than 1,000 nature-deprived spaces. The initiative from Friends of the Earth and The Co-operative Bank is bringing communities together to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of nature in 11 areas, across England, including Hull, London, Bristol, Derby, Birmingham and Manchester.

·       Tree People in Birmingham is a volunteer group that plants and cares for trees across the city, especially in neighbourhoods with very few trees. Each winter they plant around 100–200 large trees. They work with residents to decide where trees are most needed and help communities plant and look after them. Their work brings benefits such as helping cool streets during heatwaves, supporting wildlife and making neighbourhoods greener and more pleasant.

·       North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE) has installed solar panels on 23 buildings including 15 schools and colleges, the Bath Halls in Scunthorpe and Scunthorpe United Football Club. NLCE works with the community and local council, running solar roadshows, workshops, and climate cafés that have reached over 1,000 schoolchildren and numerous local residents. By working in close partnership with the local council - together with the support of Energy4All - NLCE says it has delivered more solar sites, more quickly and more cheaply than either could do alone - cutting carbon emissions and saving the council money too.

Over the next few weeks, digital billboards near railway stations and in city centres across Manchester, Birmingham and Portsmouth will display adverts supporting Friends of the Earth’s Hope Starts Here campaign.

Friends of the Earth’s data shows how people are increasingly making environmentally conscious choices that bring down their bills and cut harmful emissions. People in the South West are leading the way when it comes to solar power, with Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset in the top five local authority areas for installing rooftop solar panels.

Cornwall also tops the league table for installing heat pumps. Heat pumps can provide energy bill savings of £200 a year or more but come with significant upfront costs even with a government grant. Although sales increased to 125,000 in 2025 significant growth is needed. Friends of the Earth is calling for larger grants for low-income households, as well as industry innovation to reduce costs.

Electric vehicle numbers are growing quickly with almost 1 in 4 new cars sales in 2025 and second-hand EVs selling more quickly than other cars. Buckinghamshire, North Yorkshire and Gateshead top the table for the local authorities with the most EV sales.

Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, said:

“This data shows the true scale of the environmental threats facing communities across England. Flooded homes, dangerous heatwaves and polluted air aren’t distant threats – they’re already affecting millions.

“The good news is that communities across the country are coming together to help solve these problems. From community energy schemes to tree-planting projects, people are taking positive and effective action to build a cleaner, healthier future.

“With council elections approaching, local politicians have a chance to show real leadership and protect the communities they serve. Every party should offer hope in their campaigns by putting the environment at the heart of their plans.

“Our online tool gives people the power to hold their elected representatives accountable for the environmental challenges in their area.”

People can show their support for Friends of the Earth’s Hope Starts Here campaign by ordering a free poster: foe.uk/poster

ENDS
1.    For tables of the top ten local authorities in each category, please contact Friends of the Earth's press office.

Friends of the Earth’s local environmental data tool features a range of data on key environmental issues in local authority areas and political constituencies in England. The data is available for everyone to understand the environmental picture where they live. It can be accessed online. 

Methodology and sources of information are here. :  

2.    As part of its Hope Starts Here campaign, Friends of the Earth is calling on candidates standing in May’s local elections in England to pledge put the environment at the heart of their electoral pledges, including to:

•    Protect people from extreme weather, such as flooding and wildfires. 
•    Say yes to renewable projects that reduce emissions and stop destructive developments, like fracking and airport expansion.   
•    Invest in better public transport and clean air initiatives.