Prestigious Award for our Impact on Climate Change
We are honoured to receive the 2022 Royal Meteorological Society’s ‘Award for Impact’.
The ‘Award for Impact’ has been awarded to us in recognition of the significant contributions made by the Energy and Climate Change Team together with consultant partners WSP in educating, informing, or motivating organisations in response to meteorological challenges. We are the first to receive the Award for Impact as part of the newly revised category of awards.
Who are the Royal Meteorological Society?
The Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) Awards recognise people and teams who have made exceptional contributions relating to weather, climate, and associated areas. RMetS is the leading independent organisation in weather and climate, with a history dating back to 1901.
How we’re making an impact
Since we declared a climate emergency we have taken important steps on the journey to being ‘Climate Ready’ and Net Zero by 2038. In 2022, to help understand the current and future impacts of climate change on Kirklees and its residents, together with WSP we developed a Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CCRVA). This assessment identifies and reports on almost 400 risks and associated key opportunities of a changing climate for Kirklees and has helped to inform the Climate Change Action Plan.
Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees, said:
“The Energy & Climate Change team have and continue to put a lot of hard work into being ‘Climate Ready’ and Net Zero by 2038, and it is great to have that recognised nationally. We are proud to accept this award and acknowledge in doing so that a low-carbon and resilient future is not the preserve of ‘the few,’ but the right of everyone in Kirklees.
“We understand that a changing climate poses risks but also presents opportunities and co-benefits to everyone living and working in Kirklees. These include enhancing biodiversity, improving health and wellbeing, and providing business opportunities and cost savings.
“For Kirklees Council, being ‘Climate Ready’ is not only about demonstrating climate leadership, but also proactively contributing to the increased awareness, education and upskilling of council staff and businesses, residents, and communities that call Kirklees home.
“There is still a long way to go, but with our Climate Change Action Plan, emerging Environmental Sustainability Strategy and the cooperation of residents and businesses across Kirklees, we are well on the way to achieving our goal.”
The award will be presented in spring 2024.