More than £6.5 million has been awarded to innovative, climate‑focused projects across York and North Yorkshire as the region accelerates its ambition to become England’s first carbon negative area by 2040.
The funding, totalling £6.75 million, comes from the Carbon Negative Challenge Fund, administered by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. It will support pioneering initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, capture carbon naturally, and stimulate growth in green technology sectors. Further project announcements are expected soon.
Following a competitive application process last year, grants are now being distributed to a wide range of organisations, including:
- local businesses developing low‑carbon technologies
- community groups trialling nature‑based solutions
- local authorities deploying climate‑friendly infrastructure
- national parks piloting large‑scale environmental interventions
Many of the successful projects are already underway, marking a tangible step forward in the region’s decarbonisation mission.
Among the beneficiaries is the North York Moors National Park, which has secured more than £388,000 to deliver three major carbon‑cutting projects. These initiatives aim to protect vital landscapes, restore natural habitats, and boost carbon sequestration – all critical in the transition towards a carbon-negative future.
The Carbon Negative Challenge Fund succeeds the Combined Authority’s previous £7 million Net Zero Fund, which supported 23 sustainability projects across the region. These earlier initiatives helped test new decarbonisation approaches and build capacity for larger, more ambitious interventions.
The new fund is one of six flagship programmes chosen by Mayor David Skaith to receive a share of £30 million over the next four years, underlining the region’s long‑term commitment to climate action and clean growth.
The Mayoral Investment Fund, of which the Carbon Negative Challenge Fund is a key component, forms part of the region’s wider devolution deal, worth £540 million over 30 years. This long‑term settlement aims to boost local economic resilience, drive innovation and ensure the region leads the way on climate delivery.
The Authority emphasised that the funded projects will help the region:
- cut emissions at pace
- increase carbon capture through nature‑based solutions
- stimulate innovation in clean technologies
- support green jobs and skills
- strengthen resilience to climate change
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, commented:
“We’re ambitious here in York and North Yorkshire, and we’re working towards being the first region in England to reach carbon negative by 2040.
“That’s why we are backing projects from across the region, investing £6.75 million through my Carbon Negative Challenge Fund.
“From our coast to national parks, we can use our expertise and our landscape to bring down energy bills and help farmers take care of our environment."
As York and North Yorkshire move closer to their carbon-negative ambition, these early investments are expected to lay the groundwork for wider system-level change.
Image credit: iStock
