Commission meeting learns how Calderdale is tackling climate impacts

Calderdale’s significant role in protecting people from climate impacts was showcased at Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission’s first meeting of 2026. 

The Commission headed to Todmorden’s Learning Centre and Community Hub in West Yorkshire for its 28 January meeting, recognising the outstanding work that communities do across the borough to tackle issues from flooding to making buildings resilient and fit for the future. 

The meeting of Commissioners came at a crucial time for Calderdale, which is marking six years since the 2020 floods caused by Storm Ciara and the seventh anniversary of its 2019 climate emergency declaration. In line with these milestones, Calderdale Council has launched its annual Climate Action Plan review and its yearly campaign on flood preparedness. 

Building resilience

Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Deputy Leader and the Commission’s Vice Chair for West Yorkshire, said: 

“The Climate Commission does really important work to help protect communities  across the whole region. The climate crisis affects everyone and everything, so the work is about building resilience and becoming more adaptable. 

“Hosting this significant meeting in Todmorden was a great opportunity to show regional leaders, climate experts and community partners some real-life examples of how we live with climate change in Calderdale, and the brilliant partnership work we do to protect our communities.  

“Our contribution to shaping a greener, more resilient future for Yorkshire and the Humber took centre stage.” 

Community led

The meeting attendees visited sites in Todmorden that show high levels of sustainability and have been developed or improved to excellent environmental standards, thanks to funding from the UK Government funded Todmorden Town Deal transformation work – including Grade II listed Fielden Hall and Ferney Lee Enterprise Centre. 

Attendees also heard about Calderdale’s Climate Action Partnership Influencing Strategy, which aims to drive meaningful change across the region and shows how local insight can create positive change nationally.  

Another agenda item from Calderdale’s Citizens’ Jury gave an update on how pioneering, community-led work is supporting warmer and healthier homes through improvements to energy efficiency. 

Asif Husain-Naviatti, Chair of Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission, said: 

“It has never been more important to listen to and amplify the voices of communities. Climate action works best when it is grounded in people’s lived experience – understanding real needs, integrating local insight, and shaping solutions that last. 

“Just as importantly, this kind of engagement builds agency: it helps people see what is possible, strengthens collective resilience, and inspires individuals, communities and organisations to take positive climate action together. 

“The Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission is well placed to convene partners across government, business and civil society to help translate the experiences of places like Calderdale into lasting climate action across the region.” 

Focus on flooding

It has now been two years since Calderdale launched its first Climate Action Plan, created by local experts and communities working together. The annual review of the plan highlights the progress towards net-zero carbon emissions in the borough by 2038. It looks at achievements in influencing decisions, community action, warm and resilient buildings, growth of a green economy, transport and work with land and nature, as well as outlining priorities for 2026. 

Flooding is one of the impacts of climate change that Calderdale lives with continually. Taking climate action is therefore an important way to help reduce flood risk and increase resilience. 

On 9 February 2020, Storm Ciara brought a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours, flooding around 1,200 properties and causing 10 miles of damage across Calderdale. 

The borough has since secured £133 million for flood defence initiatives, resulting in significant progress on seven major flood alleviation schemes expected to protect over 1,390 properties by 2027. The community effort also includes using over 120 sites for Natural Flood Management (NFM) and launching new NFM grant funding to build long-term resilience. 

Other initiatives taken by Calderdale Council include an annual campaign to remind people to be prepared for flooding and the measures they can take. These are brought together on a one-stop website, https://eyeoncalderdale.com, which includes how to reduce your flood risk, information about flood alerts, what to do during flooding, and how to protect properties. 

Photos: above, attendees of the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission meeting visiting Ferney Lee Enterprise Centre in Todmorden. Below, left to right: Cllr Scott Patient, Vice-Chair of YHCC and Deputy Leader of Calderdale Council; Deborah Harkins, Director of Public Health & Lead Director of Climate Action Calderdale; Rosa Foster, Climate Commissions Director; Asif Husain-Naviatti, Chair of YHCC; Paul Brannigan, Exec Manager Calder Valley Community Land Trust; Martyn Broadest, Director of Home, Connect Housing outside Fielden Hall, Todmorden (credit Bruce Fitzgerald)