Updated totals reveal how much funding the Council has managed to secure to support its climate change ambitions.
In total, the Council has so far put in place £227m of investment to support its Climate Change Action Plan – which will allow the Council to reduce its own emissions – and the wider citywide Climate Change Framework which is about delivering projects city-wide that will help reduce carbon.
Both the Council and the city as a whole aim to be zero carbon by 2038 or earlier.
The funding secured to date, which is outlined in a report to the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee which met on Thursday 9 February is as follows:
- – £109.2m Council funding (this includes investment in LED street lighting, the Civic Quarter Heat Network, Estates Carbon Reduction, purchase of electric refuse collection vehicles, and others).
- – £70.1m from the UK Government (this includes funding for Mayfield Park, the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and others).
- – £35.4m from GMCA (this includes Active Travel and the GM Mayors Challenge Fund).
- – £4.3m from the European Union (including ERDF funded Unlocking Clean Energy, Horizon 2020 funding for West Gorton Park, URBACT C-Change and Zero Carbon Cities projects and e-cargo bikes).
- – £4.3m from partners (including One Manchester contribution to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund)
- – £3.6m from the Manchester Climate Change Agency (including In Our Nature funding from the National Lottery).
Recently the Council has also set out its plans for Active Travel over the next five years. The Manchester Active Travel Strategy and Investment Plan (MATSIP) explains how the Council will expand the city’s active travel network, whilst implementing new policies that will shift the public away from car travel, towards cleaner and greener alternatives.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester City Council is leading the way when it comes to tackling climate change. While we’re pleased to have been recognised nationally for our work, we want to go further and faster.
“Reducing emissions, creating a greener city and putting residents and communities at the heart of these efforts is a key component of our efforts. We know this is a big challenge but taking meaningful action brings benefits, not just in contributing to a global effort to reduce carbon emissions and minimise the impact of climate change but in helping create a greener, healthier and fairer city.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: “The extent of funding which we are managing to secure and direct towards tackling climate change demonstrates our commitment to this priority.
“Whether it’s decarbonising buildings and other infrastructure, planting trees and creating new green spaces or helping people to make more sustainable travel choices, there are a host of initiatives we are investing in. The Council is determined to lead by example.
“We will continue to explore opportunities to secure further funding to support the important work being done across the city.”
