Islington Council has acknowledged shortcomings in its reporting of climate action progress, admitting to gaps in data and a need for more consistent and targeted programmes to address the escalating threat of climate change and achieve net-zero targets.
The Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee heard that while overall borough greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 26.9% since 2018, with a notable 9% reduction in 2022-23, the council's reporting mechanisms and the pace of certain initiatives require enhancement.
Climate Action Reporting Gaps and Emissions Drivers
During a review of the council's Climate Action Programme between October 2025 and March 2026, councillors raised concerns about the clarity and comprehensiveness of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to monitor progress. While a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) rating system is in place, a member noted the absence of a 'red' category, suggesting it could be revised to better reflect performance. Officers assured the committee that they would review the KPI monitoring and feedback on progress. The proposal is to revise to include a red for the worst performance
to align with red, amber, green,
which would be really helpful if it was aligned to red, amber, green
and improve the accuracy of performance reflection. Officers agreed to take that away and look at it.
Discussions also highlighted a lack of a shared view on which buildings and homes are most at risk from overheating. Evidence remains fragmented, and responses can be reactive. For council housing, routine sensor coverage for overheating is limited, with a reliance on complaints and informal recognition of problems. The council is improving our understanding of risk through work such as Harvist Estate modelling, row ship house monitoring and post occupancy evaluation across nine new build projects.
For example, Harvist Estate modelling identified 18% of dwellings at risk of overheating.
The methodology involves dynamic thermal modelling with passive measures at REBA stage 3, while keeping resident behaviour and post occupancy outcomes in view.
For council housing, the direction of travel is to combine property information with resident evidence, identify priority homes and estates and use monitoring and wider indicators to target practical measures and investment.
The 9% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions between 2022 and 2023 is attributed to grid decarbonisation and transport policies. However, the report cautions that these figures do not establish precisely how much of the reduction comes from each intervention.
Additionally, lower gas consumption may partly reflect residents heating their homes less due to affordability pressures.
Lagging Initiatives and Insufficient Adaptation Measures
Several initiatives and programmes are lagging in pace. Concerns were highlighted regarding the pace of private building retrofit, particularly in conservation areas.
For council housing, the 500 plus properties in wave 3 of the social housing retrofit programme is off track because of uncertainty around Flory's Law.
Communal heating efficiency work is also on hold due to the need for updated pricing. In transport, Cycle hangar delivery is off track at 655 against a target of 800.
The reasons for slower progress include uncertainty around Flory's Law, the need for updated pricing, and contractor administration issues.
Physical adaptations such as external shading and ventilation are currently insufficient in scale.
Other insufficient measures include greening, fabric performance improvements, standard small measures and systematic overheating checks.
The report states that there is not an activity gap but we need a properly funded, consistent, and targeted programme across the estate and wider borough.
Next Steps for Overheating Programme
Next steps include agreeing pilot scope and resources for a targeted overheating programme. The immediate next step is to agree the pilot scope and resources, include delivery responsibilities and any additional funding needs.
The report indicates that the proposed programme starts by identifying settings where buildings risk, building risk and occupant vulnerability coincide, using the climate resilience delivery group's priorities.
The pilot examples will combine behaviour change and low cost measures with passive calling, ventilation and capital options.
While a specific commencement date is not provided, the aim is to move from individual examples to a sequenced, evidence-led programme before future summers.
Existing evidence will be used to inform future support and investment
by agreeing the pilot scope and resources
for this programme. The wider ambition is to embed adaptation in investment and maintenance decisions, connect it with community preparedness and service continuity, and develop cost of business cases from the evidence.
The types of evidence being prioritized include building risk and occupant vulnerability,
as well as property information with resident evidence.
For more details, see the Public reports pack for the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee meeting on 20th October 2026.