Green Summit 2020 to set agenda for tackling climate emergency today, tomorrow and together

• Greater Manchester’s third annual Green Summit will be held from 21-24 September
• The series of virtual events will look at biodiversity and climate adaptation, transport and energy, waste and sustainability and building back better
• Speakers will include Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Chris Boardman, and mayors from around the world

Greater Manchester will outline its vision for our environment and set out the next steps to becoming carbon neutral at this year’s Green Summit, taking place online from 21-24 September.

Now in its third year, the Greater Manchester Green Summit 2020 will mark progress made towards the goals of the Five-Year Environment Plan, which include becoming carbon neutral by 2038, improving air quality in the next decade, protecting our natural environment, and building resilience to the effects of climate change.
This year’s programme of virtual events has been designed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Youth Combined Authority (YCA), with a special focus on the leading role that young people are already playing in tackling the climate emergency.

Under the theme of ‘Taking Action: Today, Tomorrow and Together’, the Green Summit will feature sessions based on four key areas:
• Nature, biodiversity and climate adaptation
• Green transport and energy efficiency
• Circular economy, waste and recycling, and sustainable construction
• Climate change resilience and building back greener

Communities, businesses and organisations working towards Greater Manchester’s environment goals will be invited to take part, share their experiences, and discuss the actions they are taking throughout our city-region.
Speakers across the four days will include Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency; Chris Boardman, Olympic gold medallist and Cycling and Walking Commissioner; and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, in discussion with mayors from cities around the world.

For more information on the programme of events and to register your attendance, visit the GM Green Summit 2020 website.

Andy Burnham said: “In the last few months we’ve seen how radical change is possible when we’re faced with a global crisis. Across our towns and cities we’ve been forced to adapt the way we live, work and travel, and rethink the way we protect livelihoods and communities at risk. But we’ve also seen how the Covid crisis has hit the most vulnerable the hardest, ruthlessly exploiting the inequalities that exist in our society.

“The parallels with the climate emergency are clear – and so is the urgency of the task. The pandemic has presented us with an unprecedented opportunity to build back cleaner, greener, and better than before. If we want Greater Manchester to be the best place to grow up, get on and grow old, then that means putting sustainability, innovation, and fairness at the heart of our plans.

“We’re not complacent about the scale of action required, and I’m encouraged by the vision and passion that our Youth Combined Authority members have shown in developing this programme. This year’s Green Summit is a moment for Greater Manchester to challenge ourselves and set the agenda for tackling the climate emergency, now and in the years to come.”

Cllr Andrew Western, GMCA Lead for the Green City-Region, said: “As we go into a year or more of living with Covid, we need to ensure that our economic recovery is guided by a commitment to clean and green development that benefits our communities. That means capitalising on the cleaner air and increases in cycling and walking, and supporting initiatives like energy-efficient retrofitting, creating jobs, cutting carbon emissions and improving the standard of housing.

“We’ve already made good progress since our first Green Summit two years ago. This year is an opportunity to take stock of what has already happened, learn from the great work being done throughout our city-region, and redouble our efforts to reach our target of becoming carbon neutral by 2038.”
Last year’s Green Summit saw more than 1,700 people come together at The Lowry to hear from speakers including Emma Greenwood, Bury Youth Parliament member and Climate Strike 4 Youth spokesperson, and acclaimed author and poet Lemn Sissay. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales also delivered a video message in support of the event.