Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission

Our 2040 Strategy

What we do, how we do it - and our vision for 2040

We are already living with climate change here in Yorkshire and the humber.

Many are feeling the impacts directly, through damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. Others experience it through higher prices on food or utilities, or may notice changes to community spaces and wildlife. And the greatest impacts are often felt by people and places already under the most pressure.

The challenge we face is real, but so is the opportunity. In confronting climate change, we can improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, generate good jobs and economic opportunities, restore our natural environment, and build the resilience we need to live well as our climate evolves.

Building a climate-resilient and low-carbon region, together

The scale of change needed is significant, but by coming together and applying our renowned grit, innovation and deep-rooted pride in community and place, a secure, thriving and nature-rich region is possible.

We’re here to help make it happen.

Our vision for 2040

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER WILL HAVE A FAIRER & PROSPEROUS SOCIETY

Decisions on how to move forward will be developed with the people most affected, creating a stronger economy, with easy, more equal access to fulfilling work, services, green spaces, nutritious food and travel choices.

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER WILL BE A NATURE-RICH, THRIVING & RESILIENT REGION

Nature’s full value will be recognised and embedded in decision-making, supporting wellbeing, resilient food systems and reduced exposure to climate impacts like drought, flood and wildfires.

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER WILL BE PREPARED FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE

Homes, infrastructure, services and places will be planned for long‑term resilience, keeping people safe, reducing future costs and protecting communities regardless of income or location.

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER WILL HAVE A SECURE, CLEAN ENERGY & TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Affordable, homegrown energy and accessible transport will be widely available, improving health and wellbeing, reducing inequalities and strengthening communities, supply chains and the economy.

Our Role

Strong action from national government has the greatest impact when it’s matched with local partnerships that bring people, leaders and organisations together to shape solutions rooted in a deep appreciation and love of local places.

Our role is to bring together communities, businesses, local and devolved government and place-based organisations from across the region.

Through these connections we inspire, accelerate and guide ambitious, joined‑up action on climate and nature that is informed and led by the people and places of Yorkshire and the Humber.

We put impacted communities and the natural systems they depend upon front and centre and help ensure that the evidence, knowledge and skills needed to create good jobs, strengthen local services, build climate resilience, restore nature and cut emissions are shared across the region and used effectively.

What we do

We shape and drive shared ambitions for tackling climate change and restoring nature across Yorkshire and the Humber.

We do this by bringing together the best available evidence through the region’s Climate Action Plan and shared policy principles. We support better decisions by providing clear evidence and advice, responding to consultations and helping leaders, communities and investors understand the risks, choices and opportunities ahead.

We help people see what’s possible – and showcase the progress that has already been made in Yorkshire and the Humber.

We do this by building a clear picture of what a fairer, more prosperous and more resilient future could look like. We learn from what’s working elsewhere, share insights widely and track progress across the region. We tell the stories of local changemakers, celebrate innovation and speak up where action is falling behind.

We bring people together from across Yorkshire and the Humber to turn ideas into action.

We do this by connecting and convening communities, organisations and decision‑makers, helping to build trust and support for new ways forward. Through the projects, initiatives and forums we run, we support networks and partnerships, encourage innovation and help turn research and ideas into practical action that leads to lasting change.

Our guiding principles

Act with urgency and determination – We are close to dangerous levels of warming, risking the health of our environment and our communities. We will prioritise high‑impact actions and move quickly, using “good‑enough‑to‑try” pilots, reviewing regularly and seeking to scale what works, and learning from what doesn’t.

Use evidence, challenge business as usual – Our region has both world‑class universities and deep local expertise from practitioners, community leaders and land custodians. We bring this local insight together with robust research to challenge business‑as‑usual approaches and build confidence in decision‑making.

Value nature – We ensure the natural world, which we are part of and depend upon, is represented and accounted for in our decisions. We recognise its full ecological, cultural, social and economic value and act to restore and sustain the living systems that support the region’s livelihoods and economy.

Care for current and future generations – The decisions we make now will profoundly affect the quality of life and health of those yet to be born. We will consider and incorporate the needs of future generations in our decisions and actively include young people in our work.

Our culture and values

As a Commission that brings together people from diverse sectors, places and backgrounds, having a strong, shared culture is essential.

Our values provide the foundation that enables us to work effectively together, build trust and inspire meaningful action.

Connection – Climate action succeeds when people feel connected to one another and to the places they care about. Building and creating connections means valuing and welcoming all voices, with and alongside the needs of nature. We create honest, respectful spaces where people from our culturally rich and diverse region can listen, learn, find common ground and work together.

Motivation – Our motivation comes from seeing how collective action creates lasting change. We meet big challenges by focusing on the region’s strengths – its communities, industries, landscapes and creativity. By enabling people and showing how everyone can contribute, we build the momentum needed to create a thriving, resilient and low-carbon region for communities now and in the future.

Curiosity – Being curious keeps us open to new ideas, new voices and new perspectives. It pushes us to look beyond familiar approaches and explore what might be possible. It helps us question assumptions and explore better ways forward, guided by evidence, lived experience and the deep knowledge of our region.

Integrity – We are guided by what our region needs, rather than what is convenient. We speak plainly about risks, trade-offs and opportunities, and we hold ourselves accountable to the communities we serve. Trust is essential to climate action, and integrity is how we earn and maintain it.

Ambition – Preparing for and reducing the impacts of climate change demands more than incremental progress at business-as-usual pace. It requires ambition that matches the scale and urgency of the challenge. We set high standards for ourselves and for the region, striving for outcomes that are transformative, not merely adequate.