{"id":1320,"date":"2018-11-22T14:02:21","date_gmt":"2018-11-22T14:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mub.eps.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/?p=1320"},"modified":"2023-06-21T09:26:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T08:26:53","slug":"decarbonising-manchester","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mub.eps.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/2018\/11\/22\/decarbonising-manchester\/","title":{"rendered":"Decarbonising Manchester"},"content":{"rendered":"

President Trump denies it; the rest of the world has signed up to combat it. Climate change and how to tackle it is one of the largest problems we\u2019re facing this century – so much so that the Paris Agreement (a landmark agreement to combat climate change) was drawn up in 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, Manchester has set its own target to become a \u2018zero carbon\u2019 city. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Manchester City Council (MCC) and Tyndall Manchester have together\u00a0drafted a plan to make Manchester a zero carbon city by 2038<\/a>. Ambitious? Definitely. Achievable? It\u2019s not without its difficulties – but with some work, we can reach this goal.<\/p>\n

We caught up with Carly McLachlan, Director of Tyndall Manchester<\/a>, to find out more about what this plan means for the city and for us as its residents.<\/p>\n

We see the term \u2018zero carbon\u2019 mentioned in the strategy, but what does it mean?<\/h2>\n
\"Carly
Carly McLachlan, Director of Tyndall Manchester<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thinking about a city being \u2018zero carbon\u2019 is a challenging idea because of nuances around how we draw the line with our carbon emissions. Our budget and the related annual target relates only to the emissions from our energy consumption as a city – but of course, we have emissions embodied in all the products we consume and bring into the city from other parts of the UK and across the globe.<\/p>\n

Based on the global carbon budget, we have an allocation, just like you would money in any other budget. If we keep \u2018spending\u2019 our budget as we are now, we\u2019ll quickly have none left and climate change will become more extreme. So, to combat this, our report recommends that we reduce our carbon emissions by 13% each year to keep us on the right trajectory for 2038. We have to make real and significant changes to how we produce and use energy (electricity, heat, transport etc.) if we want to make a difference.<\/p>\n

Our target helps to get people thinking about the infrastructure in the city, the national infrastructure we rely on (e.g. the gas and electricity networks) and how to fuel our city in a zero carbon way. However, the policies and initiatives around this central target take a much wider perspective, with work on consumption of goods, food and our green spaces included. It is not all about carbon \u2013 it\u2019s also about the kind of city, economy and society that we want to live in.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s an ambitious task, how will Manchester make these reductions?<\/h2>\n

It is ambitious but it\u2019s something we have to take seriously and actively change. There are already plans in progress that will help us achieve these targets.<\/p>\n

The Springboard report<\/a> sets out some of these, such as retrofitting homes and businesses to make them more efficient, ensuring that all new homes are net zero carbon, the implementation of \u2018smart energy<\/a>\u2019, improving cycle routes and the uptake of cycling, and reducing plastics, among others. It\u2019s all go!<\/p>\n

Why has Manchester decided to lead the way with such an ambitious target?<\/h2>\n

Sustainability and energy were key topics within [Mayor of Greater Manchester] Andy Burnham\u2019s election manifesto<\/a>, so he was keen to make these changes when he assumed office. This was supported by local councils, as well as The University of Manchester, and the people and businesses of the city. Manchester has always been a city at the forefront of change, from the Industrial Revolution to women\u2019s rights, so why stop now? Climate change is a big problem and we need to set an example that others can follow.<\/p>\n

So, what does this mean for us as citizens and the businesses that are based here?<\/h2>\n

The change recommendations made in the Springboard report will not only ensure that we are protecting our environment, but also that people will see other beneficial changes as well. This includes using less energy, which in turn means our energy bills will come down. It would make our houses and commercial properties more comfortable to live and work in, as they won\u2019t be too hot or too cold. And it would give us the ability to make informed choices about where we get our energy from (such as community energy companies), as well as seeing knock-on health benefits from cycling more or adapting our diets.<\/p>\n

Alongside all of this, businesses will find a new economy of work and employment. Jobs that didn\u2019t exist before will be created, such as engineers who can install, maintain and repair any new infrastructure. This all creates a much more sustainable and stable low carbon economy.<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

What can people do now to reduce their carbon footprint?<\/h2>\n

There are lots of things, but here are some of the main things people can get started with:<\/p>\n