Sunderland strengthens commitment to green agenda

Sunderland is combating the climate crisis and strengthening its drive towards a low carbon future, with leaders poised to recommit to a country-wide sustainability pledge.

Leaders from Sunderland City Council are expected to renew the UK100 pledge at a Cabinet meeting in January, helping it become a more sustainable city by working towards net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 as a council and 2045 as a city.  This builds on existing commitments to work towards carbon neutrality as a council by 2030 and as a city by 2040.

UK100 is a network for UK locally elected leaders who have already pledged their part in the global effort to avoid the worst climate change impacts by switching to 100 per cent clean energy by 2050.  It brings together the most ambitious local authorities to share knowledge, collaborate, and petition the UK government with their collective power. 

UK100 works closely with elected representatives and policy experts to develop solutions to the challenges all local leaders face and build public support for the transition to net zero.

The city has already set out its focus on a sustainable future, having established a Low Carbon Framework to drive down emissions, making the city carbon neutral within 20 years.  The Framework sits alongside the council's own Low Carbon Action Plan, which captures how the local authority itself will take a lead by becoming carbon neutral by 2030.  It led to the council being named as one of just 11 UK cities and 95 across the globe as an A-List city for environmental action.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "This year, some of the climate emergencies we have seen around the world have reminded us of the huge threat we face if we do not urgently address the climate crisis, and live more sustainably.  And it's everyone's problem to solve.

"As a council, we really trying to lead by example, set the agenda and support our communities - people and business - to do their bit too in the push towards a greener future.  There's been a huge effort so far, and the momentum can't and won't tail off on this vital agenda.  It's absolutely imperative that we treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves."

He added: "It's often said there is no planet B, and it's true.  We all must protect the one we have, at all costs."