West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin is representing the region on the global stage this week at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro, joining leaders from nearly 100 cities to push for bold climate action that creates jobs, cuts energy bills, and drives economic growth.
Speaking ahead of the landmark COP30 climate conference, Mayor Brabin is championing West Yorkshire’s leadership in clean growth, which has seen over £300 million invested in emissions reduction over the past five years.
West Yorkshire’s green economy is now worth £8.1 billion, supporting over 53,000 jobs across 3,000 businesses, and is projected to grow by 37% by 2025/26. Flagship investments include:
- Match-funded support for businesses to green operations and reduce energy costs
- Affordable solar panels and home upgrades for households
- Free insulation for social homes (4,000 upgraded since 2022)
- Low-interest loans for private homeowners to invest in green tech
West Yorkshire Combined Authority has approved 62 decarbonisation projects, generating 2.75 million kWh of renewable energy and saving 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Plans are also advancing for the Weaver Network, a fully integrated, energy-efficient transport system featuring Electrification of the publicly-run bus fleet, and a reliable, affordable Mass Transit system to reduce car dependency
The Mayor’s presence at the C40 Summit highlights how local leadership is delivering real results on the road to net zero. The summit provides a platform for cities to share best practices and accelerate climate progress ahead of COP30.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said:
“West Yorkshire is proving that net zero does not have to mean extra costs for hardworking families - it can mean better-paid jobs, lower bills and more vibrant communities for all.
“By investing in skills, working with business and backing innovation in our booming green sector, we’re powering new industries and pushing ahead to meet our target of a net zero West Yorkshire by 2038.
“I’m joining London Mayor Sadiq Khan in Rio this week to show that with devolution, we no longer have to sit around and wait for national leaders to rescue us from the cost of living and the climate crisis - we can take bold action ourselves to deliver real change.”
West Yorkshire’s Local Growth Plan continues to scale up success by helping businesses access finance, skills, and markets, and creating well-paid careers in clean energy, construction, and green finance.
Image credit: iStock
