Fair and Inclusive Climate action

The Issue

There is a very real risk that existing inequalities in health, housing and access to opportunities will be worsened across Yorkshire and the Humber if we either fail to act, or 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. These problems need to be solved if we are to honour the wishes of the 77% of people in the UK who are concerned about climate change and want to know that actions are fair, affordable and meaningful.

Across our region there are a great many organisations already working to address these challenges. What we need now are key changes to how public bodies work with communities and with each other to shape policy and funding decisions.

We believe this will accelerate progress towards a more equitable, resilient and thriving region.

Context

Meeting climate targets is technically achievable and good for the long-term economy. However, there are three big obstacles: 

1. The funding gap: Despite the long-term benefits, government and industry are struggling to fund the up-front investment needed. 
2. The agency gap: Trust in political leadership is low. People feel that policies either don’t relate to them, or are done to them leaving them with little agency. 
3. The opportunity gap: Many places that suffered from previous industrial changes have never recovered, have deep inequalities, and have not yet seen real evidence that climate action can be done in a way that makes people’s lives better. 

Yorkshire and the Humber is ready

Yorkshire and the Humber is uniquely placed to lead on climate action that puts people first: we have an impressive array of local, grassroots initiatives already making a difference; we have full regional coverage of elected mayors who are championing big issues like jobs in clean energy and reliable, affordable public transport; and we have the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission, a regionwide, cross-sector partnership bringing together leaders from all sectors to pursue an ambitious shared agenda for action.  

Our ask

Many local leaders, MPs and peers are already directly involved in grassroots projects across our region. We are calling for additional support and momentum for the full range of initiatives – to create the conditions for people and places to thrive in the changing climate. 

Examples of real action

Active communities 

• Sheffield Renewables: a community benefit society financed by the community, currently generating around 160,000kWh per year of renewable energy. 

• Incredible Edible: a movement founded in West Yorkshire which has spread worldwide, using local food growing as a way to connect and inspire communities. 

• Circular Malton and Norton: transforming Malton and Norton into the first circular economy town. 

• East Riding of Yorkshire Future Communities Initiative, using revenue from a wind farm to help voluntary and community groups fund local activities. 

• Green Estate: a social enterprise founded in one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Britain, transforming derelict land to grow green and resilient places for people and nature. 

Inclusive decision-making 

• Calderdale’s Citizens’ Jury on Retrofit: recommendations include simplifying planning consents for housing retrofit and helping residents find affordable financing. 

• The ‘Ripple Effect’ handbook: guidance produced by the Regional Youth Climate Assembly on how to include young people in local and regional development. 

Focused education and skills  

• Leeds Development Education Centre: providing teaching resources across the curriculum to address the big ideas that shape our future. 

• CATCH Net Zero Training Centre: addressing the impending engineering skills shortages that constrain the growth of low-carbon industries. 

• Schools’ Climate Education South Yorkshire: supporting students, teachers and schools with curricular and extra-curricular initiatives. 

• Betterworld Solutions: founded by Rotherham-based manufacturer AESSEAL Ltd, providing training, tools and investments for sustainability in business. 

Inspiring action through creativity 

• Ark Bradford: documenting conversations with the people of Bradford about what climate change means to them. 

• University of Huddersfield’s Cultures of Climate Festival: embracing the role of arts and humanities disciplines in responding to the climate challenges we face. 

• “Who Ya Gonna Call?”: an interactive performance exploring how people and organisations deal with being unprepared for extreme weather¹⁵. 

• ‘Day One’ Art Exhibition: allowing young Sheffield residents to express their views on the impact of climate change on their lives and the solutions they hope for¹⁶.​ 

^{Photo credit: Monkey Business / Adobestock.com}