Leaders from across the North-west have set out their vision for the entire region to become carbon neutral by 2040.
Ambitions for the region are being set in preparations for the UK’s hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) later this year, and set the goal of the region reaching zero-carbon a decade ahead of the national target. Greater Manchester already has set the deadline of becoming carbon neutral by 2038.
The region’s vision, the first for any English region, was set out at a launch event on Monday 22nd February. Ahead of the event, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham commented:
Today [22nd February] is about showing the power and potential of a whole region pulling in the same direction to tackle the climate emergency. Together, we hope to build a movement to make the North West the country’s leading force in the zero-carbon economy.
“If we get serious now about the climate crisis, it will also help us tackle the post-pandemic jobs crisis. There are tens of thousands of good green jobs just waiting to be created across the North West – in retrofitting our buildings, modernising our energy systems, and decarbonising our transport. Now is absolutely the time to make that happen.
“We are outlining our vision to achieve a net zero North West by at least 2040 – 10 years ahead of the national target. Benchmarks like these not only give us something to aim at – they also demand meaningful commitments and urgent action. All of us gathered today are already taking that action, working together and developing detailed energy and environment plans for our places which can meet our collective ambitions.
“Come November, when all eyes are on the COP26 in Glasgow, we want to show the world that the North West of England is ready once again to lead an industrial revolution – this time a green one.”
Plans to decarbonise the region have brought together political and business leaders from across the region, including Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region Mayors, Cheshire and Warrington LEP and infrastructure providers Electricity North West, Cadent and SP Energy Network, as well as industry-led Net Zero North West which is chaired by Siemens Chief Executive Carl Ennis, who commented:
The North West has set out a bold vision for industrial decarbonisation and building a net zero economy. As the region with the largest concentration of advanced manufacturing and chemical production in the UK, we have collectively grasped the decarbonisation challenge and want to lead the green industrial revolution. We have all the elements required in our region to deliver the world’s first net zero industrial cluster by 2040 and the net zero commitments jointly agreed will help us realise this ambition.”