North Tyneside Council hosted its first Climate Emergency Board on Wednesday (16 Mar) with businesses from across the Borough invited to help join the Council in tackling the climate emergency together.
Most recent data from BEIS shows carbon emissions in the Borough were down by 41% in 2019 against the 2005 baseline. The Council’s carbon footprint accounts for less than 2% of this figure, which is why the Council is looking to engage with residents and businesses in the area to help drive down harmful emissions, making North Tyneside a cleaner and greener place to live, work and visit.
North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE said: “We are committed to doing all we can to create a borough that’s sustainable for generations to come.
“Whilst the council is doing everything it can to ensure a sustainable future, we absolutely need help from residents and businesses. It’s only possible if we all do our bit – if we take small steps, such as recycling and taking less car journeys, we can make a difference.”
The Climate Emergency Board will be a platform to explore collaborative project potential, launch joint campaigns, influence supply chains and share best practice across the Borough.
Businesses at the inaugural meeting included Greggs, Smulders Projects UK, Sterling Pharma Solutions, Proctor & Gamble, Quorum Business Park and Cobalt Business Park, with plans to work with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust and others in the future.
The Council are launching a behavioural change campaign working with residents to support them in taking small steps to help create a more sustainable North Tyneside.
Cllr Sandra Graham, cabinet member for Environment added: “We’re really proud of our climate work so far, which has seen a whole host of initiatives right across the council and borough. We’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with residents and businesses on our ambitions for a carbon net zero North Tyneside by 2030.”
The Council has made significant inroads since it declared a climate emergency in 2019, which has seen an ongoing programme to replace all streetlights with LEDs; use of more electric vehicles; vast improvements to the energy efficiency of council homes and buildings; sustainable transport routes, plans and consultations for sustainable travel options; tree planting and biodiversity areas; and more.