Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, responds to today’s UN Report on Climate Change

“Today’s UN report confirms what we already know: human activity is responsible for global warming, and we urgently need to change our behaviours to save the planet; that’s why I’ve made tackling the climate emergency one of my mayoral pledges.

I have a bold ambition to make West Yorkshire a net-zero carbon economy by 2038, with significant progress by 2030. 

Meeting this challenge requires collective action from across all sectors, and will empower our region to build a modern, sustainable economy supported by an efficient transport network, green and climate ready infrastructure, and improved air quality. 

In September, we will publish a Climate and Environment Action Plan to bring this vision to life, enabling the Combined Authority to commit to net zero operations by 2038, decarbonise our transport system through green technologies like electric vehicles, improve the energy efficiency of our homes and offices, accelerate investment in natural flood management, and create green jobs so that the people of West Yorkshire can excel in the careers of the future. 

I want to ensure delivering a net-zero economy is integral to the region’s recovery from COVID-19 and that we lead the way in protecting the environment for current and future generations.”