Climate change "number one issue" facing South Yorkshire

WATCH: Dan Jarvis answers your questions in our exclusive #LeadersInLockdown interview:

South Yorkshire's metro mayor's told us, despite Covid, climate change is the number one issue facing the county right now.

We've been putting your questions to Dan Jarvis for our Leaders in Lockdown interview.

Karine wanted to know about what the plans were for a 'green recovery' from the pandemic.

In response Dan said the county's aiming to be carbon neutral by 2040:

"There's a huge amount of activity going into making sure we meet our climate change commitments. Just this week we're launching the Yorkshire Climate Change Commission which is a really important forum to look at how we can work collectively together to reduce our emissions and address the huge challenge of climate change.

"At a local level we're doing everything we possibly can - we're investing in active travel, we're investing in a more sustainable and affordable bus fleet. This is a huge priority for us in South Yorkshire."

Ruth from Extinction Rebellion Sheffield asked how South Yorkshire could reach net zero carbon emissions with the expansion of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Dan said in response:

"I can absolutely assure Extinction Rebellion and all of our residents in South Yorkshire that we take the threat of climate change very seriously indeed. But of course we do face some very difficult decisions. Whilst doing everything we can to reduce emissions we've also got to make sure people in South Yorkshire have got a job."

You can watch the full interview by clicking on the link at the top of this article.

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• Climate change
• South Yorkshire
• dan jarvis
• carbon emissions