Manchester leader at global climate conference

Manchester City Council’s leader has been invited to share the region’s experience of tackling climate change at a prestigious global summit.

Sir Richard Leese is attending this week's C40 summit held in Sao Paulo.

The visit to the Brazilian city has been paid for by the C40 group and all carbon emissions generated by the return flight will be offset.

The C40 group, also known as the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group, comprises the world's biggest cities that work together to reduce urban carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.

Sir Richard will attend alongside leaders of cities including Sydney, Yokohama, Copenhagen, Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok, and will be able to discuss plans including AGMA's Low Carbon Economic Area Delivery Plan and Manchester - A Certain Future, the city's plan to reduce carbon emissions over the next decade.

The summit represents a unique opportunity to share experience and ideas with other city leaders and to maximise opportunities to attract interest and investment in low carbon projects and technologies.

Sir Richard will attend seminars on creating new jobs by attracting green industries, making existing buildings more energy efficient as well as on tree planting and urban forestry.

The summit will also be attended by former president Bill Clinton and chaired by Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York.

Sir Richard Leese said: "As a city, we intend to take a lead role in tackling the challenges which climate change presents, both on the international stage as well as locally, so it was important that we accepted this invitation.

"We have made progress across the city region so we can share our experience in this area, as well as having an invaluable opportunity to talk to the leaders of cities from across the world, making connections and learning ideas that can be used to help Manchester's residents and businesses."