UK local councils shift focus to sustainability & cloud tech

New research from Europe's cloud provider, OVHcloud, has revealed a significant shift in priorities among UK local authorities over the past five years. The study found that 93% of local authorities have increased their focus on sustainability initiatives. At the same time, 96% have boosted their use of cloud computing technologies to drive their sustainability efforts. However, progress has been hampered by concerns over costs and a skills gap within the workforce.

The research highlighted that 86% of local authorities faced cost-related issues that impeded their ability to implement sustainable technology projects. Additionally, 49% reported that lacking adequate skills and staff resources further hindered their progress in achieving sustainability goals. These findings emphasise the pressing need for additional funding and training to support local sustainability initiatives.

Emma Dennard, VP of Northern Europe at OVHcloud, discussed the implications of these findings. "Many local authorities declared a climate emergency in 2019. Sustainability is high on their agenda and continues to rise in importance. Still, our local authorities need more support in terms of funding and skills to ensure that the UK has sustainability as part of its DNA. Sustainability is a key way to lower power bills, reduce carbon impact and meet the needs of today without compromising the world of tomorrow, so this isn't just a 'nice to have' – it's a business enabler."

The report, which was part of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, also examined the broader trend of increasing cloud computing adoption among local authorities. According to the Cloud Industry Forum, 29% of organisations in the UK are leveraging cloud computing to reduce costs. Almost all local authorities surveyed (96%) have increased their use of cloud technologies, aiming to achieve better efficiency and innovation in their operations.

Dennard elaborated on the potential benefits of cloud computing for local authorities. "Cloud computing can significantly enhance the agility and processing power per pound of local government organisations. But it's also a significant consumer of energy, so it is vital that councils assess the sustainability credentials of the cloud computing providers that they work with, ensuring that they are clear and transparent about their scope one, two and three emissions. This way, organisational drives to be leaner and more sustainable won't be obscured by technology supply chain issues."

While the move towards enhanced sustainability and cloud computing among UK local authorities is evident, ongoing challenges related to costs and skill shortages need to be addressed. The findings underscore the importance of targeted support and investment to ensure these initiatives can be effectively realised, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient local government framework.