Action plan sets out how West Yorkshire Combined Authority will play its part in tackling the climate emergency

3 October 2019

West Yorkshire Combined Authority will set out the steps it is taking internally to address the climate emergency at a meeting next Thursday (October 10).  

Members will be presented with the Combined Authority’s Clean Growth Action Plan which outlines how the organisation it will play its part in supporting the Leeds City Region to become a net zero carbon economy by 2038 at the latest.  

The Combined Authority declared a climate emergency in June and has worked with respected Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research which found that the City Region must halve its emissions every five years in order to reach net zero by 2038.  

The Clean Growth Action Plan outlines the steps it will take across its operations, bus stations and offices to reduce harmful emissions whilst also improving efficiencies in water, energy and waste.   

Installing solar panels, replacing all Combined Authority vans with electric alternatives, sourcing all energy from 100 per cent renewable sources and working towards zero carbon bus stations are just some of the actions outlined in the plan.    

It also sets out how decision-making processes will be strengthened to ensure that all work undertaken by the Combined Authority meets one of its four corporate priorities – supporting clean growth – to boost the regional economy and reduce harmful emissions.   

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said: “The climate emergency is one of the biggest challenges we face and scale of the task we face cannot be underestimated – this will require transformative and substantial changes to many aspects of our everyday lives such as how we work, how we build new homes and how we travel. 

“The Combined Authority is working with its partners to lay the foundations as we work towards becoming a net zero carbon City Region and this plan outlines how we will begin this journey. 

“It’s vital that we ensure that no one is left behind as we move forward with our ambitions. We must ensure all communities, no matter where they live in the City Region, benefit from the opportunities this transition will create.” 

The Combined Authority and the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) are already delivering a wide range of measures including support for businesses to reduce their waste, water and energy bills; measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes and combat fuel poverty; investment in local, low carbon energy schemes such as the Leeds PIPES district heat network; and the introduction of electric vehicle charging points and low emission buses in partnership with local councils and bus operators. 

For more information about what the Combined Authority is doing on climate change visit westyorks-ca.gov.uk or visit the-lep.com to find out about support available for businesses.