Leaders in the North West aim to make region first in the UK to reach net zero
It's as all eyes will be on Glasgow next week for climate summit COP26
Last updated 29th Oct 2021
Political and business leaders in the North West are aiming to make the region the first in the UK to reach net zero.
It's as all eyes are on Glasgow next week when leaders from around the world arrive for COP26, a huge summit focussed on tackling climate change.
Experts are warning it's the world's 'best last chance' to slow down global warming.
North West leaders said they’re sending a clear message to international leaders ahead of the conference that, with the right investment, the region can become the first in the UK to reach net zero and doing so would create thousands of green jobs, improve air quality and stimulate billions of investment into communities.
As part of the UK hosting the international UN Climate Conference, two free official roadshows will take place in the North West, with a programme of events also planned at COP26 in Glasgow over the next fortnight.
They’ll showcase 'the best of the pioneering North', where major projects and initiatives are already underway to slash carbon emissions from energy, industry, transport and homes to reach net zero.
Leaders will also be showcasing the best of the North West up in Glasgow, with panel sessions and discussions on the legacy of COP26 to run throughout the conference.
Official COP26 events will also take place in the region. Free to attend, the North West COP26 regional roadshows will give those not attending Glasgow the chance to get involved in the climate conversation:
• Powering the Green Industrial Revolution
The Heath, Runcorn, Thursday 4 November 2021, 9.15am – 4pm
The first event will celebrate progress made to cut carbon from our job-creating, energy-intensive industries such as manufacturing and what the future holds as we reach net zero.
• Power to the People: Enabling a Smart Energy Transition
Escape to Freight Island, Manchester, Tuesday 9 November 2021, 9.30am – 3pm
The second event will focus on the innovators pioneering new sources of sustainable fuel and electricity, with a focus on the built environment, transport and smart energy.
Debbie Francis OBE, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, said:
“It's fantastic that the North West is coming together to showcase the vast array of capabilities within the region which, when combined, have the potential to significantly contribute to the government's net zero ambitions. In Lancashire, we not only have businesses as the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies, some of which will be showcasing their expertise at the two events, but we also have world-class manufacturing capabilities. This makes Lancashire and the wider North West, a formidable region to tackle climate change and power the Green Industrial Revolution.”
The events will showcase some of the innovative projects planned for the North West, including plans to harness tidal power via the Mersey Tidal Power project; decarbonise industries by creating and distributing hydrogen via the HyNet North West project; and the mission to create a joined-up low carbon transport network in the North West’s towns and cities.