Workstream #5 - Catalysing change
Progress report - workstream #5
(updates included where progress has been made this quarter)
5.1 Carbon Literacy training continues to be delivered virtually. 1,064 staff currently in post are now certified with a further 44 trained and awaiting certification. 138 people received certification this quarter and The Carbon Literacy Project have awarded the Council Silver Accreditation as a Carbon Literate Organisation, confirming that 15% of staff to be trained in Carbon Literacy.
5.3 A new Manchester Digital Strategy is available and includes a section on “Sustainable Resilience: digital innovation supporting zero carbon goals and inclusive connectivity”. The Strategy is currently open to consultation, which closes in March.
5.4 The Zero Carbon & Resilient Communities programme will have a soft launch in March with a full launch proposed for May. A partnership group has been established to provide support and challenge, to drive the programme forward. Two Neighbourhood Climate Change Officers (North & Central) are now in post, a third post (South) is currently being recruited.
5.5 Press releases and social media coverage have continued this quarter with content produced on the naming competition for five of the new electric refuse collection vehicles and progress made in delivering the Climate Change Action Plan 2020-25 ahead of Neighbourhood and Environment Scrutiny Committee. Reference to the inclusion of zero carbon ambitions as one of the council's priorities was also covered in the budget releases and messaging.
5.6 Manchester Climate Change Agency’s new Director has been appointed and will start in post next month. The Deputy Director is in post and vacancies for the Programme and Finance Officer and Youth Climate Champion have also been filled. Recruitment is due to commence for a Policy and Strategy Lead. A 12-month funding plan is in place for a Residents and Communities Lead.
5.7 The City Business Climate Alliance project kicked off in March with a virtual workshop involving large companies and business-membership organisations based in the city. Through this project the Manchester Climate Change Partnership plan to recruit additional members to increase influence over citywide emissions.
5.9 The Executive Member for Environment, Planning & Transport has raised divestment from fossil fuels with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund along with counterparts from across Greater Manchester authorities; a joint letter has been sent to local authority representatives on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and a separate letter has been sent to the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
5.10 Core Cities plan for COP26 is to focus on Investment in Green Recovery, Green Finance and the role of cities in delivering net zero. The Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region launched “North West Net Zero: The Road to COP26", in February which outlines the measures already being taken to accelerate progress to net zero in the region.
5.11 The EU Zero Carbon Cities project, led by Manchester, held its third 2-day transnational meeting in February. Seven partner cities presented their Integrated Climate Action Plans which set out how they will implement their zero carbon ambitions over the next year.