Hull City Council continues to work towards its net zero targets as it reaffirms its commitment to creating a sustainable future.
Devolution would help to achieve these goals, with the proposals on the table for Hull and East Yorkshire promising close working on pan-Humber matters.
This would come in the shape of representation from the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero on the Humber Energy Board, through which they will support the development of a Net Zero Strategy.
In 2020, Cabinet approved the 2030 Carbon Neutral Hull Strategy providing the strategic framework for the reduction of carbon emissions from production and consumption activity by this date to reduce the impact of climate change on the city.
The council also has a commitment to become net zero by 2040, with the city aiming for net zero by 2045 and Hull District Heating Network is a key component and prime example of the council’s plans to achieve these aims.
Devolution would help to maximise the opportunities of a changing climate and driving the economy to net zero whilst also fully deploying the expertise within another of the council’s flagship schemes, the Living with Water Partnership.
The council, along with Yorkshire Water, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Environment Agency and the University of Hull, is working together to build flood resilience and develop innovative water management systems, managing the threats and opportunities water brings to the region amid an ever-changing climate.
Cllr Jack Haines, the council’s portfolio holder for climate change, said: “The council is committed to ensuring that Hull is ready to become net zero.
“Our 2030 Carbon Neutral Hull Strategy is well underway and support from this devolution deal would help us to maintain our progress.
“The city of Hull has experienced first-hand the devastation caused by flooding and the effects of climate change, so it is important that we as a council and our residents continue to tackle these issues.”
The council is a founding member of Oh Yes! Net Zero, the community of over 180 Hull and Humber-based organisations committed to taking action to achieve net zero.
Melissa Rackham, Oh Yes! Net Zero’s community engagement manager, said: “We’re very pleased to see that environmental sustainability is a key part of the devolution proposal for Hull and East Yorkshire.
“As well as supporting low-carbon infrastructure projects and green technology initiatives, the proposal includes funding to make the region more resilient to flooding and to support our offshore wind industry.
“We’re encouraging Oh Yes! Net Zero members to take part in the consultation to ensure the views of their organisations on this, and all other aspects of the devolution proposal, are represented.”
You can have your say on the devolution proposals here.
