North Tyneside Council has achieved international acclaim as one of 119 authorities worldwide leading the charge on climate action, according to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
The prestigious rating places North Tyneside alongside the likes of New York, Paris, Melbourne, and Tokyo on the organisation’s 2023 A List.
Nearly 1,000 global cities were assessed and only 13% received the coveted 'A' grade, positioning North Tyneside as a standout performer for its climate initiatives.
To secure an 'A' grade, an authority must publish its submission, have a comprehensive emissions inventory, published plans for climate action, a risk and vulnerability assessment, and a plan to address potential climate hazards.
A-List cities are at the forefront of global climate leadership and take four times as many climate mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A Listers.
North Tyneside's inclusion follows the declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 when an ambitious target was agreed to be carbon net-zero by 2030.
Initiatives include the replacement of streetlights with energy efficient LEDs, which helped to save nearly 1,500 tonnes of carbon in 2022/23, and the installation of solar panels on office rooftops, and air source heat pumps at leisure centres.
Ten thousand trees have been planted as part of the North East Community Forest and hundreds of homes have been made more energy efficient.
Businesses in the borough are being supported with resource and funding advice including a Climate Adaptation Toolkit developed for businesses and the third sector to assess, evaluate, plan and monitor risks to build climate resilience.
The council continues to work with residents, tenants, businesses, and young people to create a greener Borough.
Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, said: “I am very proud to learn that North Tyneside is being globally acknowledged as a front-runner in local climate action.
“Since sounding the alarm on the climate emergency, our councillors and officers have wholeheartedly championed the cause, making climate change a focal point in all that we do, and at the heart of our agenda.
“While we've made significant progress since the climate emergency declaration, there's still a great deal of work to be done. We are steadfast in pursuing innovative initiatives, enhancing resident well-being, and taking proactive measures to tackle the challenges of climate change, all while ensuring our communities are well prepared for the future.”
