West Yorkshire leaders set to approve groundbreaking approach to tackling household carbon emissions

01 December 2023

A groundbreaking approach to reducing carbon emissions across West Yorkshire’s homes looks set to get the green light next week – as world leaders gather to discuss the climate crisis at COP 28.

More than 1,600 households are set to get help to make their homes greener and ready for the future as part of a £11.5 million investment across the region.

West Yorkshire leaders are expected to approve the first schemes at a meeting on Thursday, December 7.

It comes as the Mayor of West Yorkshire issued a rallying call to leaders at the UN climate change conference, challenging them provide greater powers to local leaders to reduce emissions.

The projects, which include offering low-interest financing to make investing in energy saving measures – such as air source heat pumps and solar panels – more accessible, are expected to help form a blueprint for how hundreds of thousands more houses across the region can benefit.

The schemes are set to be discussed by regional leaders at a full West Yorkshire Combined Authority meeting on December 7.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “West Yorkshire is leading the way on reducing household emissions, offering local solutions to global problems.

“This work will make bills cheaper for hundreds of people across West Yorkshire who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford such an investment, as well as helping us meet our 2038 net zero climate targets.

“We now want governments around the world to put their words into action, and back radical schemes like this to help us all reduce our carbon footprints.”

The work comes alongside an announcement that the Combined Authority is speeding up the delivery of net zero projects that boost green jobs, restore nature, and tackle air pollution with an extra £2.5 million of funding.

The Net Zero Accelerator Fund will support several innovative projects such as the Blanket Bog Restoration Project in Calderdale, which will help to keep down carbon emissions, slow the flow of flooding, and boost local wildlife.