The 2024 Greater Manchester Green Summit was held at the Lowry Theatre on Monday 9 December, bringing together individuals, businesses and community groups all passionate about driving change for the good of our planet and helping Greater Manchester reach its sustainability targets.
The day featured talks, workshops and networking opportunities to showcase how Greater Manchester is leading the way in the green transition and give and idea of the support and opportunities available across the region. Bee Net Zero hosted a workshop on the decarbonisation of industrial estates and business parks while other workshops focused on youth initiatives, green communications, green tech and innovation, decarbonising housing and the Innovation Accelerator at Energy House Labs.
The Bee Net Zero Workshop with GM Business Board Green Lead Steve Connor
This year’s summit was significant as it saw the launch of a new plan for environmental action across Greater Manchester, a new Transport Strategy for the region, as well as a new initiative to provide business support across the region. Learn more about each of these below:
5 year-environment plan
At this year’s Greater Manchester Green Summit, the region unvieled a new five-year environemnt plan to capture the benefits of green growth and create a city-region where everyone can live well in a nature-rich environment.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, launched the new Five-Year Environment Plan to outline how the city-region can stay on target to hit carbon neutrality by 2038, while supporting communities to thrive and driving positive, clean economic growth.
The plan sets out how public and private sector organisations, national government, and communities can work together to become carbon neutral by 2038. Greater Manchester can be front and centre of the green industrial revolution, driving us to our 2038 ambitions.
Greater Manchester’s new Five-Year Environment Plan sets out how we will:
- Improve the standard of existing housing and build 30,000 new affordable net zero homes which will be cheaper to rent and cheaper to run as part of our Housing First mission to ensure everyone has a good, permanent home.
- Develop a fully integrated carbon neutral tap-in-tap-out public transport system. Our Bee Network is encouraging more people to get around by wheeling, walking, bus, tram and train. We are moving further and faster than any other region in the country on the electrification of our public transport and we will power the majority of the network with homegrown clean energy.
- Stimulate growth in clean sectors and create good quality long-term employment opportunities. Through the Greater Manchester Baccaleureate (MBacc), we are connecting young people with jobs and training in sectors that are growing in Greater Manchester, giving them a clear line of sight to careers in our Green Economy.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
“We believe that achieving carbon neutrality by 2038, whilst very challenging, is still achievable – but we cannot do it alone.
“It’s by working together and with our communities, that we will ensure every person can live well in a healthy, nature-rich environment, while supporting our region’s economic growth.
“Our Five-Year Plan is our vision to capture the benefits and the opportunities of green growth, setting out how protecting and enhancing the natural environment can boost the economy and help communities to thrive.
“This is fundamental to the success of Greater Manchester, and I am proud that we are leading the way to becoming carbon neutral.”
Urgent action is needed to tackle carbon emissions and reverse the decline of the natural environment across the city-region. To have a significant impact on our carbon emissions, we must change the way we heat our homes and move people, goods and services across the city-region. We also need to reduce pressures on the natural environment and integrate nature into our urban areas.
The annual Green Summit brings together a wide range of organisations, community groups, and stakeholders, working alongside the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to collaborate and chart a course towards achieving our carbon neutral targets.
Cllr Tom Ross, Greater Manchester Green City-Region Lead, said:
“Our new Five-Year Plan is incredibly ambitious as we are determined to hit our goals of being a carbon neutral city-region by 2038. Our natural environment is vital for everyone in Greater Manchester, and it is right that we put in place bold plans to protect and enhance it.
“The Green Summit is always a great environment for collaboration and highlights just how much work is happening with our partners to tackle the climate crisis.”
The first Five-Year Environment Plan was published in 2019 at the second Greater Manchester Green Summit. This new Five-Year Plan goes even further to reach our 2038 targets, while building on the progress made in the last five years.
It not only covers how we can reduce carbon emissions from our buildings, energy and transport infrastructure, but also outlines measures to increase economic growth whilst reducing our waste, improving air and water quality and increasing our resilience to future climate impacts.
Transport Strategy
Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 sets out Greater Manchester’s long-term ambition for transport and is an essential part of the city-region’s wider strategic framework.
Our vision is for Greater Manchester to have ‘World-class connections that support long-term sustainable economic growth and access to opportunity for all”.
It sets out a strong commitment to provide a transport system which: supports sustainable economic growth and the efficient and effective movement of people and goods; improves the quality of life for all by being integrated, affordable and reliable; protects our environment and supports our target to be net zero carbon by 2038 as well as improving air quality; and capitalises on new technology and innovation.
By 2040 the region hopes that 50% of all journeys in Greater Manchester to be made by walking, cycling and public transport. This will mean one million more sustainable journeys every day enabling us to deliver a healthier, greener and more productive city-region..
Delivering a world-class, integrated public transport network is essential in enabling people to live productive and fulfilling lives; for thriving communities and neighbourhoods; for economic growth and for a green environment and sustainable future.
Bee Net Zero Commitment
Also at this year’s Greater Manchester Green Summit, Bee Net Zero a partnership chaired by GM Business Board (LEP) Green Lead Steve Connor, launched a new commitment,
encourage the region’s businesses of all sizes and sectors to become greener, more resilient and save money.
So far, 22 businesses across a range of sectors including Ikea, United Utilities, Manchester Airports Group and Coronation Street have signed the commitment, showing their dedication to making positive changes in their organisation and support the region in becoming a green leader.
Businesses that commit will also be the first to hear about webinars and events from Bee Net Zero partners that aim to demystify green technologies and support the net-zero transition. They’ll also be able to promote their commitment to sustainability to improve their attractiveness to customers, talent and current employees.
To help the region meet its target of becoming net zero by 2038 and create a greener, healthier future, Greater Manchester needs the support of its business community.
From high-emitting manufacturers to local businesses and even the voluntary sector, every business can take small steps to become more sustainable which is why the Bee Net Zero partnership is now looking for more businesses to make the Bee Net Zero Commitment.
It’s not just about supporting the region, becoming greener makes great business sense. Businesses that take steps to reduce energy bills, reduce waste or become early adopters of green tech will give themselves a competitive advantage and reap the benefits of cost savings.
Research from Electricity North West has found that 36% of Greater Manchester businesses considered reducing carbon emissions to be a priority. The Bee Net Zero partnership hopes that region-wide collaboration can increase this number to drive substantial change.
Bee Net Zero aims to make Greater Manchester the easiest place in the UK to become a net zero organisation. Its partners can offer free, impartial and tailored support to create decarbonisation plans, source and install green tech with local suppliers, engage employees on the journey to net zero, promote sustainable transport, take advantage of green finance solutions and become an early adopter of green innovations among other things.
Support can range from making big changes like installing solar photovoltaics or electric vehicle chargers to taking small steps to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We want to create a movement of businesses in Greater Manchester who are committed to reducing their carbon emissions. Bee Net Zero can provide all the tools and resources you need to start that journey.
“By taking some simple steps, you can save money on energy bills and running costs. The North West has a massive opportunity to be at the forefront of a green industrial revolution. Our business community in Greater Manchester can lead the way – so join us by making the Bee Net Zero commitment today.”
Steve Connor CEO of Creative Concern and Green Lead for GM Business Board said “Sustainability and the transition to net zero is becoming increasingly important for businesses as it means they can remain resilient, competitive, attractive to talent and ultimately do the right thing for the planet. Bee Net Zero is here to make that transition as easy as possible for businesses in Greater Manchester by bringing together trusted partners in a unique cooperation.
“We’re asking organisations of all sizes and sectors to make the Bee Net Zero commitment, to show they’re serious about driving change in their organisation and to ensure they receive the support they need to take action. By creating a collaborative and city-region-wide approach, we can position Greater Manchester as the best destination for doing green business.”
Learn more about the Bee Net Zero Commitment.