Why invest in West Yorkshire?
Net zero 2038
Home to the UK's
first solar-powered
park and ride facility
Why invest in West Yorkshire?
Net zero 2038
Home to the UK's
first solar-powered
park and ride
facility
Home to the UK's
first solar-powered
park and ride facility.
West Yorkshire was one of the first Combined Authorities to declare a climate emergency in 2019.
Working with our partner councils, the business community and the third sector, we forged a powerful partnership to take action.
After working with the respected Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, we set an ambitious target to be a net zero carbon region by 2038 at the latest, with significant progress by 2030.
We commissioned a science-based carbon budget for our region that is consistent with the objectives of the UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change (Paris Agreement) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
This looked at how we could rapidly reduce emissions across transport, industry buildings, power, land-use and agriculture.
To reach our goal, we need urgent, decisive and collaborative action. And that is exactly what we’re doing.
2.4 million people live here
With over 9.7 million people living within an hour’s drive.
We produce over 43,000 graduates a year
Our region boasts an unrivalled supply of talent, with two world-class business schools, seven universities and seven further education colleges producing over 35,000 graduates a year.
And we’re also a magnet for the next generation of innovators, creators and makers with 55% of students educated here choosing to stay to live and work in Yorkshire after graduation, and 72% of graduates who are originally from West Yorkshire choosing to work in Yorkshire.
We are England’s fastest-growing creative sector employer outside of London
Adding around £2 billion to our local economy and employing 112,000 people in creative jobs across all sectors, West Yorkshire has England’s fastest-growing creative employment in the north, so it’s no wonder we’re welcoming key players like Channel 4 and record label, EMI North.
And we’re already making significant progress...
Installed solar panels on seven bus stations, generating 175k kWh of energy per year and saving 250 tonnes of CO2.
Taken a decision to bring buses back under public control and started delivery of zero-emission buses, saving up to 17,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Awarded £36 million in funding for active travel schemes and launched the Leeds City Bike scheme, providing more people with access to short term bike rental.
Invested £12.5 million in the Leeds flood alleviation scheme two. Approved three capital flood projects, investing a total of £5.65 million.
Approved three natural flood management projects, investing a total of £3.02 million, with four more projects in development.
Supported tree planting with White Rose Forest, urban greening with Green Streets and the Calderdale sphagnum moss project.
Secured £45 million to upgrade and retrofit 4,500 social homes through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
Approved 62 projects, generating over 2.75 million kWh of renewable energy and saving 1,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Trained 104 people across five employer-led adult upskilling courses in green skills in 2023-24, with 46 trainees progressing into green jobs so far.