Council leader urges collective climate change action

As global leaders gather at the COP26 UN climate change conference in Glasgow, the leader of Cheshire East Council leader has urged collective action to tackle climate change and drive a new era of productivity in the North West.

The North West is showcasing the region’s climate action at regional COP26 events – the latest of these, ‘Powering the Green Industrial Revolution’, having taken place in Runcorn, coinciding with the ‘energy’ themed day at COP26 in Glasgow.

The birthplace of the industrial revolution, the North West is now spearheading a new green revolution. The regional event in Runcorn explored how the North West’s mission to decarbonise energy, transport and business is driving a new era of productivity, future-proofing existing and emerging energy-intensive industries.

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “As COP26 talks continue, the need for a collective effort to protect the future of the planet is taking centre stage.

“Climate change is the greatest challenge facing our generation. We must all think differently about how we operate in order to make the changes that are necessary to protect the future of the planet.

“As the leader of Cheshire East, it was an honour to join the panel at the regional COP26 event in Runcorn to highlight some of the great work that is happening in our borough and across the North West in our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

“The event celebrated the progress made across the region so far in cutting carbon. Examples across the North West include the first large-scale hydrogen production plant in the UK and one of the first glass furnaces in the world planned to use hydrogen and green electricity. The North West is one of the first areas in the UK to put together a comprehensive decarbonisation investment plan.

“Here at Cheshire East, we are at the forefront of green energy technology, with our hydrogen refuelling station in Middlewich, the first of its kind in the North West, demonstrating how working together can develop innovative solutions to the use of fossil fuels, bringing carbon and air quality benefits to the borough.

“The legacy of COP26 will be to continue to work together across the region to effect radical change when it comes to the energy that drives our industries and keeps the North moving.” 

Clare Hayward MBE, chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This event was our opportunity to send a clear message to international leaders that with the right investment our region can become the first in the UK to reach net zero, pioneering solutions that will help others across the world get there.  

“We are at a critical moment as we look to create a better future for us all and we want all of Cheshire and Warrington to lead the way. Our vision is to be a world leader in net zero carbon energy technology and innovation and the first decarbonised industrial cluster in the world, putting us at the front of the UK’s drive to net zero and enabling us to act as a blueprint for others. 

“While we can all individually play our part, it is by working together that we will make a real difference and the partnerships we have across Cheshire and Warrington and the wider North West can help us achieve our aims and ambitions.”

To read more about Cheshire East’s carbon neutral action plan, visit their website at:

cheshireast.gov.uk/carbonneutral.

Pictured - Cllr Corcoran with David Schiele.