Commission calls for climate action to be fair and inclusive

Yorkshire and the Humber is uniquely placed to lead on climate action that puts people first – but key changes to how public bodies work with communities and each other are needed to make this more effective, according to a new policy brief from Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission. 

The brief identifies gaps in funding, agency and opportunity, and underlines the risk of widening existing inequalities if we don’t get climate action right.  

“The detrimental impacts of climate change are not felt equally across communities. Income, jobs, caring responsibilities, mobility and where we live all play a role, especially because those factors all affect our health,” it states. 

The Commission cites examples of real action already taking place across the region, such as Circular Malton & Norton (North Yorkshire); Schools’ Climate Education South Yorkshire; the National Net Zero Training Centre in Grimsby (North Lincolnshire); and Calderdale’s Citizens’ Jury on retrofit (West Yorkshire). 

As well as an extensive network of local, grassroots initiatives, Yorkshire and the Humber benefits from full regional coverage of elected mayors who are championing big issues like jobs in clean energy and reliable, affordable public transport, as well as the Commission itself, which brings together leaders from across the region to pursue an ambitious shared agenda for action. 

Recognising the involvement of the many local and regional leaders, MPs and peers who are already directly involved in grassroots projects, the Commission is calling for additional support and momentum to shape policy and funding decisions to enable the full range of initiatives for a more equitable, thriving and resilient region. 

Westminster focus 

The policy brief was presented to parliamentarians during a two-day visit to Westminster earlier this month. Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission’s Chair, Asif Husain-Naviatti, and Senior Engagement and Impact Officer Andrew Wood, were invited to a cross-party event hosted by Peers for the Planet, which featured guest speaker Sir Stephen Fry (read Andrew Wood’s blog).  

Andrew returned to Westminster Hall the following day with colleague Jillian Schacher to attend an event hosted by the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures Climate Evidence Unit, to engage with MPs on the need for fair and inclusive climate action to be central to the climate policy agenda. 

Asif Husain-Naviatti said: “The Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission is a staunch advocate for fair and inclusive climate action. But this is about more than the climate – it’s about safeguarding and improving the services, jobs, energy and infrastructure that our communities depend on, even as we face compounding risks: from river and coastal flooding to prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall.  

“Yorkshire and the Humber is on the frontline of the UK’s climate emergency, but it is also uniquely placed to lead. Through meaningful engagement with senior politicians and policymakers in Westminster, we are working to ensure the region’s collective voice drives national solutions that are grounded in local realities.” 

 Image: Jessica – Adobe Stock

Download the policy brief