Following hot on the heels of the UK Industry Peak Oil task force report “The Oil Crunch” the Oil Depletion Analysis Centre (ODAC) has published a report specifically for local government called “Preparing for Peak Oil: Local Authorities and the Energy Crisis”.

Below are the actions that it recommends local authorities undertake:

• Conduct a detailed energy audit of all council activities and buildings.
• Develop an emergency energy supply plan.
• Introduce rigorous energy efficiency and conservation programmes.
• Encourage a major shift from private to public transport, cycling and walking.
• Expand existing programmes such as cycle lanes and road pricing.
• Reduce overall transport demand by using planning powers to shape the built environment.
• Promote the use of locally produced, non-fossil transport fuels such as biogas and renewable electricity in both council operations and public transport.
• Launch a major public energy-awareness campaign.
• Find ways to encourage local food production and processing; facilitate reduction of energy used in refrigeration and transportation of food.
• Set up a joint peak oil task force with other councils and partner closely with existing community-led initiatives.
• Coordinate policy on peak oil and climate change.
• Adopt the Oil Depletion Protocol.

You can download the full report here or read a more comprehensive review at Transition Culture.