Greater Manchester fights climate change

The ten local authorities have signed up to the Compact of Mayors, voluntary action to reduce the carbon footprint and make the most of the area’s energy and resources. 

The Compact of Mayors was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and sees major cities from around the world follow a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. 

So far more than 7,100 cities from 119 countries and six continents have joined the initiative. 

Greater Manchester Mayor and Tony Lloyd said: “In Greater Manchester our target for the year 2020 is to cut emissions by 48 per cent to their levels back in 1990. 

“We make this commitment to protect the health of our people and our communities, and to do our bit to keep the world on track for below 1.5 degree of warming. It is only by cities across the world coming together that we can make this happen.”

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, Chair of the Low Carbon Hub, said:  “We will continue to support our growing low carbon economy and our research work is enabling us to adapt to a climate resilient region. 

“There is no time to waste, our area and planet must be protected for future generations.” 

On 4 November, the historic Paris Agreement will officially enter into force, 30 days after more than 55 countries accounting for 55% of global emissions joined the agreement. 

In June, an historic merger was announced  between the Compact and the European Union’s Covenant of Mayors, creating the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, a first-of-its-kind global initiative of cities and local governments leading in the fight against climate change.