Agenda item

(Led by: Alan Reiss, Author: Jacqui Warren)

The Board considered a report of the Director of Policy, Strategy and Communication on the development of a LEP-wide response to tackling the climate emergency.

It was acknowledged that whilst the final impact of COVID-19 on the Leeds City Region would not be known for some time, the challenge for the city region to become net zero carbon by 2038 remained the same.  It was however acknowledged that target dates to become net zero carbon did vary across different geographies and that Transport for the North’s target was 2050 which Members considered should be more ambitious and aligned with the Leeds City Region’s target of 2038. 

Members discussed the ongoing work to tackle the climate emergency and the scale of the challenge which was outlined in Appendix 1. The report detailed a proposed approach to ensure the LEP and its advisory panels develop responses to tackling the climate emergency.  A carbon emission reduction pathway study has been commissioned in order to help the Leeds City Region understand how to meet its 2038 target and the study will outline possible decarbonisation pathways for all major sectors within the city region. 

It was recognised that all the advisory panels play a key role in tackling the climate emergency and they should be given the opportunity to input into the development of a preferred pathway. The draft approach and suggested action areas for each Panel to consider were endorsed and these were listed in Appendix 2. It was noted that the list is not exhaustive, and the Panel Chairs were asked to highlight where there were any gaps. It was also suggested that the Business Communications Group be active in raising awareness in the business community, particularly within the SME environment. It was proposed that Simon Pringle arrange an online session for any LEP Board member who would like further information about the background, ongoing work and the challenges being faced in tackling the climate emergency.  It was also agreed that each Panel nominates a ‘climate champion/advocate’ to be responsible for ensuring that tackling the climate emergency is fully considered in all decisions and new opportunities are considered and implemented where appropriate.

The Board noted the work of the Zero Emission Transport Working Group which comprised of members of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee and Green Economy Panel.  The working group are inputting into the development of the emission reduction pathways work and will review the initial results.  They will oversee the decarbonisation of the transport sector and provide regular updates to the Transport Committee and Green Economy Panel.

It was noted that this will be a continuing topic area and there will be significant financial implications due to the scale of the tackling the climate emergency.  

Resolved:

(i)         That the importance of the Emissions Pathways study in determining how the City Region can meet its net zero carbon ambitions by 2038 be noted.

(ii)        That the LEP Board endorses all panels playing a significant role in tackling the climate emergency and that they be asked to consider the contents of the submitted report and other opportunities and outline, within the next six months, what they will explore/influence.

(iii)       That the creation of climate champions/advocates for all Panels be endorsed.