Kirklees Together

We continue to lead on climate action by becoming the first local authority in West Yorkshire to sign up to the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action Pledge (Y&HCA). 

Facilitated by the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission (YHCC), we’ve been awarded ‘achiever’ status which recognises that as an organisation, we have a plan in place for at least one of four areas of focus.

However, we have committed to taking action in all four areas including

• Adapting to climate change by becoming climate ready
• Reducing our carbon emissions
• Boosting nature and enhancing our region’s fantastic natural assets and
• Promoting climate action in a fair way that involves everyone. 

We recently launched an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan. This builds on our achievements to date and outlines how we will become Net Zero and Climate Ready by 2038. This includes the award-winning Abbey Road housing retrofit scheme. This has cut not only carbon but peoples energy bills with new insulation, windows, and solar panels.

Our carbon emissions have also been reduced by 53 per cent, (against 2005/06 baseline). Moreover 100 per cent of our electricity is now sourced from renewables for council managed buildings, tens of thousands of trees have been planted and 97 per cent of streetlights have been converted to LEDs.  

Councillor Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees said; 

“I am delighted that we are the first council in West Yorkshire to secure Achiever status with the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, joining a growing movement of businesses and organisations across Yorkshire who recognise the need to take action to protect our region from climate impacts and unlock the benefits of a fairer, greener economy. 

There is much more to be done, but Kirklees is helping to lead the way on tackling the climate and ecological crisis. That’s why we declared a climate emergency in the first place and why we continue to take action to address these impacts so we can reach our ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2038.  

This continues to be a challenging ambition, but it also remains a great opportunity to improve our quality of life and create a borough that is healthier, more sustainable, and fairer for everyone.” 

In partnership with businesses, organisations and residents across Kirklees, we are currently co-developing our Environmental Sustainability Strategy for the district, which will be published later this year.

More information

The Climate Action Pledge has been developed by the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, an independent body set up to support and guide ambitious climate action in the region. You can read more about the Climate Action Pledge at www.climateactionpledge.org.uk

More information on the climate emergency can be requested and viewed at www.kirklees.gov.uk/climateemergency