Our goal is to make Manchester a healthy, green and socially-just city. One where everyone can thrive. Both the city and the Council have committed to reducing carbon emissions – the main cause of climate change. We have a shared goal to be a zero-carbon city by 2038.
Climate action has many other benefits. Such as greener public spaces and better public transport. As well as lower energy bills and new green jobs. And cleaner air and a healthier city.
It also helps to address some of the challenges faced by our residents. Such as fuel poverty, the rising cost of living and the affordability of low-carbon tech. It’s not just about what’s best for the planet. It’s about what’s best for the people that live here.
Extreme weather caused by climate change is already affecting our city. Residents, especially the most vulnerable, already face these challenges. Such as floods and extreme heat. Climate impacts can also damage buildings and infrastructure. And disrupt services and supply chains. As well as driving up insurance costs and worsening people’s health.
Bold action will help us to avoid those rising costs and stay ahead of new regulation. All while growing Manchester’s reputation as a forward-thinking city.
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Climate action
The Council launched the city’s first plans for collective climate action in 2009. Alongside the Council’s first climate change action plan. We declared a climate emergency in July 2019. And created a new action plan to take us to 2025.
It used science-based targets to lower carbon – in line with national and international commitments. As an organisation, we made great progress. And we’re on track to be a zero-carbon organisation by 2038. We reduced our direct emissions – from Council buildings and services – by 64% from 2010 to 2025.
Direct emissions from the city (Manchester as a whole) have not fallen in line with the city’s ambition. They fell by 48% from 2005 to 2023. Now, the city risks using more than its carbon budget in the next five years.
As a city, we must come together to do more and faster. The city has a new five-year plan to tackle climate change called Manchester Climate Ready (MCR): The Plan.
The Council will work with partners across the city to support the MCR plan. At the same time, we'll continue to lower direct emissions from our organisation. How we'll do it is set out in the Council's new five-year climate change action plan.
Both plans align with the Our Manchester Strategy, which sets out all the key priorities for the city. Priority nine is to adapt to a changing climate and rapidly lower our carbon emissions.
Want to know more about our goal to be zero carbon? Check our progress, find case studies and info on how to get involved at www.manchester.gov.uk/zero-carbon.