Greater Manchester is calling on Government to support its plans to ‘build back better’ and help to tackle air pollution as the city-region sets out ambitions for a green economic recovery.
The coronavirus pandemic has seen air pollution levels drop by 30% and road traffic volumes fall by as much as 52% across Greater Manchester as a result of the lockdown – and at the same time cycling journeys have increased by 42%.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have announced that the statutory consultation on the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan will be delayed, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The consultation had been planned for this summer. However, like other areas of the country, current circumstances have limited our ability to progress the delivery of the Clean Air Plan to previous timescales.
Manchester has committed to play its full part in tackling the global climate emergency. We have committed to urgent action to reduce our CO2 by at least 50% during 2020-2025 and reduce to zero emissions by 2038 at the very latest.
The city's Climate Change Partnership recently published its Climate Change Framework 2020-2025 and we need everyone to help reduce carbon emissions and prepare for a changing climate.
The Co-op's Young Member's Group, which is a platform for young people to have their voices heard in decision making and planning for the Co-op, are currently working on a project with the Food Policy Team that is focusing on how the Co-op as a business can be more sustainable and make it products more environmentally friendly.
Let’s keep growing is a community garden project in Longsight providing free activities to Greater Manchester residents of all ages and abilities, there’s no need to book, and light refreshments are provided. No gardening or building experience is necessary.
Upcoming activities:
Saturday 1 February, 2pm-4pm at Longsight Library and Learning Centre (519 Stockport Rd, M12 4NE):
The theme in 2020 is Growing Connections – RHS are inviting groups to connect with others in their community, through the power of plants
Small environmental organisations in the UK and Ireland have until the end of January 2020 to apply for funding for bold and original actions that protect threatened wilderness and biodiversity.
The University of Manchester's GHIA project aims to better understand the benefits and values of urban green and blue spaces for older people.
The Community Volunteering Charity (TCV) have 350,000 carbon busting trees to give away to community groups and volunteers for free.
Throughout the bare-root planting season of 2019/20, TCV are aiming to plant even more trees – another 350,000+ trees in over 800 green spaces across the UK which will be achieved with approximately 37,000 hours of community volunteering for everyone to grow.
The Climate Action Fund is a new 10-year, £100 million fund set up with money provided by the National Lottery Community Fund with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of communities across the UK.
The funding is expected to support a mix of different places, communities, themes and initiatives, across the UK.
The following funding is available through phase one: