Kirklees Together

Following approval of the Phase 2 Kirklees Council Climate Change Action Plan, Councillor Will Simpson and Professor Peter Roberts have written to Rishi Sunak calling on the Prime Minister to fund essential Climate Action.

What is the letter about?

The letter asks for support, in particular, for delivering cost-effective measures, identified by research we commissioned together with the Kirklees Climate Commission, to tackle the climate emergency and help Kirklees to reach the ambitious target of net zero by 2038.

What does the research say?

The research into climate change in Kirklees by leading academics at the University of Leeds found that implementing certain cost-effective measures (measures which would pay for themselves following initial investment) would close the 2038 emissions gap by 47% and reduce energy bills in Kirklees by over £157m per year. These measures include steps such as improvements to the thermal performance of housing and decarbonising transport, two of the highest emission sectors.

Councillor Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees and Vice-Chair of the Kirklees Climate Commission, said:

“We are proud that over 100 actions to address climate change have already been implemented or are ongoing, but there is much more that we all need to do. While this will require investment, we also know that the real cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of taking action now.

“And the cost-effective measures that we can take now would not only reduce our emissions, but help residents with the cost of living crisis and build a better borough for us all.”

“Kirklees is committed to playing a leading role locally in tackling the climate emergency, but we need support from the government to turn our vision for Net Zero into reality.”

Professor Peter Roberts, Chair of the Kirklees Climate Commission, said:

“If we are to have a fighting chance of tackling the climate emergency, reaching Kirklees’ target of net zero by 2038, and making our contribution to limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 °C, we need the resources to do so.

“Our letter to the Prime Minister raises this vital issue and asks what support is and will be made available. The focus of any investment in Kirklees will be the cost-effective actions outlined by our Net Zero study, which will not only reduce climate emissions but also help reduce energy bills across Kirklees.”

As the UK Climate Change Committee has outlined, 30% of the progress required to reach net zero nationally relies on actions that are within the influence of local authorities. Together with the Kirklees Climate Commission, we are committed to securing financial and other resources to achieve our vision.

The official letter

Read the official letter sent to the Prime Minister.

Dear Prime Minister

Given your keen personal interest in matters related to Climate Change, we are writing to you following the passage of the Phase 2 Climate Change Action Plan for Kirklees.

The Action Plan sets out more than 100 actions that the Council, businesses, community partners and residents can take to reach our ambitious target of being a Carbon Neutral and Climate Ready borough by 2038.

Although we are proud that over 100 actions to address climate change have already been implemented or are ongoing, there is much more that we all need to do. While this will require investment, we also know that the real cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of taking action now.

Research prepared by leading academics at the University of Leeds, using an internationally recognised methodology to analyse the consequences of climate change for Kirklees, found that cost-effective measures (measures which would pay for themselves following initial investment), such as improvements to the thermal performance of housing and decarbonising transport, would close the 2038 emissions gap by 47% and reduce energy bills in Kirklees by over £157m per year.

As the UK Climate Change Committee has outlined, 30% of the progress required to get us to net zero nationally relies on actions that are within the scope of local authorities.

Kirklees Council is committed to playing a leading role in our borough, with our Climate Commission, working in partnership with others, in order to deliver wider action and support.

However, if we are to have a fighting chance of tackling the climate emergency, reaching Kirklees’ target of net zero by 2038, and making our contribution to limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 °C, we need the resources to do so.

We are writing to you to raise this vital issue and ask what support is and will be made available. The focus of any investment in Kirklees will be the cost effective actions outlined by our Net Zero study, which will not only reduce climate emissions, but also pay for themselves and help with vital issues, such as the cost of living crisis.

Kirklees is committed to playing a leading role locally in tackling the climate emergency, but we need your support to turn our vision for Net Zero into reality.

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with your Cabinet colleagues and officials to take forward this important shared agenda. A key task in any such discussions will be how best to secure and use financial and other resources to achieve our vision.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Will Simpson , Cabinet Member for Culture & Greener Kirklees and Vice-Chair of the Kirklees Climate Commission

Professor Peter Roberts, Chair of the Kirklees Climate Commission