Encouraging signs of local climate action in UK

There is strong, vibrant and broad-based support for more climate action at the local level in the UK, but a lack of capacity and expertise, exacerbated by COVID-19, has affected some local authorities’ ability to respond.

A new report by the Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN) has found that three out of four local authorities have declared a climate emergency but these have been followed up with new or updated climate action plans in only 62% of cases.

Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission gets to work

An independent advisory group, set up to support ambitious climate action in Yorkshire and the Humber, has launched today, 17 March.

The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission brings together a team of climate leaders from across the public, private and third sectors, in the largest regional Commission of its kind in the UK.

Green economy: how the transition to net-zero could affect UK jobs across the country

Approximately 6.3 million jobs in the UK, about one in five, are likely to be affected either positively or negatively by the transition to a green economy, according to a new jobs tracker.

The Just Transition Jobs Tracker has identified the number of current jobs requiring significant upskilling, and those that will be in high demand, as a result of the push to net-zero emissions to tackle the climate crisis.

Ambitious climate partnership for Yorkshire and Humber

Leaders from councils, businesses, utilities, unions, environmental groups and universities from across Yorkshire and Humber are coming together to tackle the climate crisis head on through a major new partnership.

The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, which is set to launch formally in March, will provide an independent voice to help support and track the delivery of ambitious climate actions across the region.

Climate Commission shows moving to net-zero emissions can help Leeds’ post-Covid recovery

Taking action on climate change could save Leeds £651m per year and create 1,500 jobs for the next decade, a new report has revealed.

These social and economic benefits could be a central part of the city’s post-Covid recovery plans says the Leeds Climate Commission, which has produced a Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap for Leeds. It shows how the city can achieve its ambition of net-zero emissions by 2030 with many positive benefits for health, equality, travel, housing and the environment.

New net-zero carbon roadmaps published for Belfast and Edinburgh

New net-zero carbon roadmaps have been published by the Place-based Climate Action Network for Edinburgh and Belfast - with Leeds to go next in the new year.

The Edinburgh roadmap was released on 7 December, while the Belfast roadmap is launched today (15 December) at a livestreamed joint event with the Belfast Resilience Strategy, marking the publication of the city's first climate action plan.

Doncaster announces climate vision

A report commissioned by Doncaster’s Local Strategic Partnership, Team Doncaster, has concluded that action is required to tackle climate change with the next decade to 2030 the most crucial. A vision produced by Doncaster Climate and Biodiversity Commission says Doncaster should aim for net-zero emissions by 2040.

Essex Climate Action Commission Publishes Interim Report

The Essex Climate Action Commission has published its Interim Report outlining its first tranche of recommendations for Essex.

The Commission, which was established in early 2020, has been asked to provide independent advice on the steps that Essex must take to become a net zero emissions county by 2050. The Commission, chaired by Lord Randall, a former government environment advisor, includes climate experts including academics, scientists, councillors and business leaders as well as representatives from the Young Essex Assembly. 

Third PCAN Newsletter published

The third issue of the PCAN newsletter is now available. Read on to find out more about: PCAN Fund Round 2 awards; updates from the PCAN Finance Platform; the new PCAN Associates; the local climate praxis conference and the next meeting of the PCAN Network - and much more!