Sheffield is looking forward to more climate actions happening in a positive, constructive, and evidence-based way with the launch of a new Climate Commission.
The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission officially launched yesterday with the support of the regional Leaders Board and leaders of councils to promote climate resilience and the transition to net-zero emissions across the region, including Sheffield.
The Commission released names of the Chair, three Vice-Chairs, a Director and 25 Commissioners from a wide range of organisations within the region and had their first online event this Wednesday.
Dr Siobhan Laird is the Director of South Yorkshire Climate Alliance and a recently appointed Commissioner for the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission.
She said: “When I first moved to Sheffield to take up a new job, a workmate told me that you might leave the job, but you’ll never leave the city. Well, I did jack in that job, but I never moved away.”
Over the years she has volunteered with many organisations and campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to protect nature and to work for equality and fairness in a new green economy.
Dr Laird said: “I am hopeful that more people will have enough courage and concern to get involved in climate action to create a green economy instead of a gig economy in Yorkshire.”
Pictures from Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission
Together with the public, private and third sector actors, the Commission hopes to guide and track the delivery of ambitious climate actions in a fair way to involve everyone and everywhere.
It has developed with the support of the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, Northern Powergrid, Northern Gas Networks, the TUC, Yorkshire Universities and the University of Leeds.
According to the Commission, proposals to run an annual regional climate summit are under development, with parallel panels convened to review progress and identify priority action areas.
Dr Laird said: “It is down to each one of us to join together to tackle the climate emergency and make the difference for generations to come.”
The main Commission will meet quarterly, currently online, on Wednesdays on a rotating basis in the Humber, South, West and North Yorkshire and will be followed by a public engagement event.