Themes
Smart Energy
Innovations in technology are giving the power of local energy production to Greater Manchester, allowing the region to make its own decisions on energy infrastructure to create a network that delivers low carbon, affordable energy to residents and businesses.
Transport
From investment in cycling and walking infrastructure to public transport reform and research into more sustainable forms of travel utilising advanced materials, Greater Manchester is serious about discovering greener ways to manage transport and travel.
Retrofitting
A new Retrofitting Task Force made up of the best minds in energy, education and infrastructure has been established with the goal of upgrading around 60,000 homes across Greater Manchester every year. Measures including renewable energy and heating will reduce fuel poverty, and creates a market of skills and jobs worth around £5bn.
Natural Environment
Work is underway to protect and improve the natural environment across Greater Manchester, with exciting developments including the City of Trees initiative and Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Green Innovation
From hydrogen as a new form of energy to graphene as a conductor for electric vehicle batteries, Greater Manchester’s institutions are leading the way with innovative research on the next generation of ideas to power a future green economy.
Green Finance
The Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF), the UK’s first regional environmental impact fund, aims to generate over £100m of funding and investment to align with projects that benefit the environment around Greater Manchester.
Green Skills/Jobs
The Low Carbon Environmental Goods and Services sector is thriving in Greater Manchester, with over 45,000 people employed, and annual sales of £6.7bn. To meet demands for retrofitting and green projects, new skills will be needed to drive the region’s carbon net zero economy of the future.
Rochdale manufacturer’s net zero push to be highlighted at COP26
A Rochdale-based manufacturer whose efforts to cut carbon emissions have been supported by the Made Smarter programme will be showcased at the COP26 global climate summit.
First Bee Network Cycle Hire stations installed ahead of launch
The first docking stations set to be delivered as part of the Bee Network Cycle Hire scheme have been installed at the University of Salford this week – ahead of dozens more being installed over the coming weeks.
Greater Manchester approves plan to remove one million tonnes of carbon and accelerate response to climate crisis
Greater Manchester is set to become the first city-region in the UK to adopt an accelerated plan for carbon reduction over the next five years – seen as critical by experts to achieving long-term net zero goals.
Low emissions concrete used to lay roller disco rink at Mayfield
Graphene-enhanced concrete, known as Concretene, has been used to a lay a low-emission roller rink at Mayfield’s Escape to Freight Island venue.
New city centre landmark shines a light on low carbon heat network
Manchester’s new Tower of Light structure has been officially switched on – marking a milestone in the development of the city’s new Civic Quarter Heat Network.
Science and Industry Museum upgrades set to save 515 tonnes of carbon every year
The museum’s upgrades include utilising an 1800s well for water source heating, installing electric boilers and painstakingly removing historic cobbles to lay pipework for new sustainable heating
New research lab aims to tackle carbon emissions from homes across the globe
Energy House 2.0 at the University of Salford will be a new lab that can simulate 95% of the world’s climate allowing researchers to measure the energy efficiency of older properties.
Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone Financial Support Scheme for HGVs to launch
A financial support scheme for HGV’s to upgrade or retrofit will launch in November ahead of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone, which comes into effect in May 2022.
Stockport to host its first Sustainability in Action Summit
Business leaders and key decision makers from across Stockport and South Manchester will gather in October to attend the region’s first One+All Sustainability In Action Summit, ahead of COP26.
140 mature trees bound for Manchester’s new Mayfield Park arrive in the UK
A collection of 140 mature trees of 43 different species have arrived in the UK ahead of being moved to their forever home at Manchester’s new Mayfield Park, the city centre’s first new park in 100 years.
£15m low carbon investment in 300 north Manchester homes
300 homes in Newton Heath and Blackley will receive a range of sustainability improvements to save 750 tonnes of carbon a year – while slashing running costs for residents.
Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone prepares for 2022 launch with £120m Financial Support Scheme
Funding support packages secured from Government to prepare commercial vehicles for a new Clean Air Zone launching in Greater Manchester in May 2022.