Councillors have called on the government to help meet climate change targets by lifting restrictions.

A Local Government Association survey released on Thursday found that Whitehall is standing in the way of local authorities by forcing councils to focus on health and education priorities.

Four fifths of town halls reported that they do not have the resources to set up an energy services company while just 20 per cent have targets for the development of renewable energy in their area.

The LGA claimed that councils are keen to do more for the environment, pointing to evidence that 71 per cent are exceeding central government targets for procuring green electricity and 65 per cent use clean fuel or low carbon vehicles.

The local government body argued that ministers are hampering their own environmental goals by failing to adequately fund green schemes.

LGA environment and regeneration executive chairman councillor Sir Ron Watson called on the government to back up its ambition.

"We cannot gloss over the facts, in many areas local authorities are failing to make real progress in driving forward the green agenda," he said.

"But the reasons are equally clear, and this survey has put the spotlight firmly on the cocktail of obstacles and contradictions holding councils back in the fight against climate change.

"Local councils have huge potential in this area and can make a real difference, even exceeding government targets, if they are enabled to do so.

"Many of the changes that need to be delivered in housing, transport and planning to reduce harmful emissions, improve security of energy supply and improve energy efficiency, will depend on local authorities."

Aspiration

Sir Ron added that ministers risk climate change reduction remaining an aspiration as opposed to an achievable goal.

"However, ministers must recognise that the government's own targets will not be met unless it removes the barriers preventing many councils from forging hared with this crucial agenda," he said.

"The government's 2003 energy white paper cites local authorities as 'pivotal' to achieving the government's historic target of slashing carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by the year 2050.

"And yet councils still find the path to greater sustainability and improved green credentials littered with obstacles.

"This survey is a call for government to abolish the restrictions and contradictions placed upon local authorities. The aspirations set out in the energy white paper will remain nothing but aspirations if government does not heed the warning that this survey presents."