On 25th March 2019, I attended the Greater Manchester Green Summit to hear first-hand about the work that is already underway in the region to tackle climate change and their commitments for the future.
Manchester delivered the event in true "Manc" style with an thought-provoking poem from the University of Manchester Chancellor Lemn Sissay; an informative video message from Prince Charles and an entertaining Q&A with Bez from the Happy Mondays.
The Summit was opened by a group of pupils that had taken part in the school strikes for climate change who talked both knowledgeably and passionately about the need for action. The Mayor, Andy Burnham then launched the Greater Manchester 5 Year Environment Plan and re-committed the region to be zero-carbon by 2038 - a science-based target which has been agreed by all of the Combined Authority councils. Addressing potential critics he added, “I welcome the challenge to go further, faster there can’t be any complacency here. It’s a big statement but it’s just a start.”
It was also confirmed that the region is banning fracking; that all new developments would be zero carbon by 2028 and that Manchester will be introducing a Clean Air Zone by 2021. However, there was no mention of the airport expansion.
Many of the speakers made reference to ‘closing the gap’ as an opportunity. The gap was identified by the Tyndall Centre as the distance between what we know we need to achieve and what we believe is immediately possible. The theme of Manchester as a city of social leadership and innovation ran throughout, with Emma Howard Boyd of the Environment Agency referring to “Manchester’s historic capacity for reinvention giving the city region an advantage in meeting the challenges of the future".
Emma Howard Boyd brought the impacts of climate change closer to home with the moorland fires and floods that the region has experienced over recent years; noting that the causes and solutions to climate change are all local, national and international. She also advised that the EA are working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and partners to develop IGNITION to create and finance projects that create confidence in green investment and are attractive propositions for private investors, targeting a 10% increase in green infrastructure by 2038.
Alex Ganotis, Stockport Council Leader and GMCA Green City Lead gave an overview of the 5-year Environment Plan for the region. The threats identified in the Plan include: climate change mitigation ,air quality, production and consumption of resources, natural environment and climate change adaptation and resilience. The opportunities that will result by tackling them related to health and quality of life; vibrant and sustainable housing and increased prosperity and productivity by gaining the first mover advantage.
The key aims of the plan are:
Mitigating climate change: For the city region to be carbon neutral by 2038 and meet carbon budgets that comply with international commitments.
Air quality: To improve air quality, meeting World Health Organisation guidelines on air quality by 2030 and supporting the UK Government in meeting and maintaining all thresholds for key air pollutants at the earliest date.
Sustainable consumption and production: To be on a path to being a circular economy, recycling 65% of our municipal waste by 2035 and reducing the amount of waste produced.
Natural environment: To protect, maintain and enhance the natural environment for the benefit of all, taking steps to implement and achieve environmental net gain.
Resilience and adaptation to climate change: To be prepared for the impacts of climate change and already be adapting to the future changes from any increase in climate shocks and stresses.
Other speakers included, Rebecca Lawson who shared details of 'Power Paired' - an initiative that Forum for the Future are trialling which will provide a matchmaking database for community energy and property owners. A great opportunity for cash- strapped organisations to benefit from renewable energy.
Plastic Free GM's Corin Bell provided an update on their work with the hospitality industry towards the region's ambition to become plastic free. Chris Boardman, Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, gave a promising update about the Bee Network; a scheme created alongside the community to make active travel both safer and easier. The GM Big Clean Switch was also at the event to help and encourage businesses and householders to switch to affordable renewable energy providers.
Anne Selby of the Wildlife Trust (Lancs) discussed the Greater Manchester Natural Capital Investment Plan and provided some appalling statistics: a 66% decline in species over the last 50 years and 75% of flying insects lost since WW2.
Other statistics quoted during the day included:
40% of UK emissions result from households
In the last 2 years emissions from buildings have increased
25% of households in Greater Manchester live in fuel poverty
Social landlords manage 20% of the housing stock
3.2 million homes in the UK are at risk of flooding
The cost to the NHS of poor quality housing is £1.4bn a year
Retrofitting will need to be done at a rate of 1 every 10 minutes to meet the 2038 target
10 people die of air pollution in Greater Manchester every day
Uptake of electric vehicles in the region is behind the national curve at 0.3%
Manchester's bus fleet will be zero emission by 2035
The event closed with a number of organisations from across the region making public pledges- including the GM Health and Social Care Partnership committing to reduce business journeys by 20% by 2025, Bruntwood committing to be carbon neutral by 2030 and Manchester Universities working to eradicate single use plastic by 2022.
To reach the 2038 target, the region will need to achieve a 15% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. If your business is based in Greater Manchester and you want to contribute towards a low carbon future, contact Simply Carbon Reduction today to see how we can help.