Rochdale leader addresses the world at COP26

Councillor Neil Emmott, the leader of Rochdale Borough Council and GMCA portfolio lead for Green City Region, will tell the world about Rochdale’s ambitious plans to tackle climate change at COP26.

Promoting the work undertaken in the borough and GM, to audiences around the world, Councillor Neil Emmott, will be attending COP26 in Glasgow on 9 and 10 November with Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester; Chris Boardman Greater Manchester’s first ever Cycling and Walking Commissioner; and Emma Greenwood, a 17-year-old youth voice and climate activist who is the current Youth Member of Parliament for Bury.

The COP26 summit, hosted by the UK in Glasgow will bring world leaders, businesses, non-government organisations, scientists and climate activists together to accelerate action towards goals on climate change. All countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious emissions reduction targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century.

As the lead member for the Green City Region, Councillor Emmott will play an important role on behalf of the borough in meeting with delegates, politicians, business leaders and government officials to lobby for resources and finances to support our climate change objectives in Rochdale, which has set ambitious targets to become carbon neutral by 2038 in line with the ambition for Greater Manchester as a whole.

Councillor Emmott, said: “As one of the key influencers for the GM City Region on the 9 November I will be leading and attending a number of events at COP26, including gender science and innovation, transport, the North West youth event and the cities in transition virtual event, with the Mayor of Oslo.

"I have been looking forward to COP26 to see what is taking place across the globe and to see how we can collectively achieve our green goals. It is also an opportunity to promote the work being undertaken in the borough to an international audience. It is important for everyone to understand that reaching net zero carbon emissions is more than just an environmental issue.

“Hitting our targets will help to transform lives in Rochdale and Greater Manchester, levelling us up to one of the best and greenest places in the country. It will improve health outcomes, tackle inequalities, generate good quality and secure quality jobs and make our communities a better place to live, learn and work in. A green city-region is a levelled-up city region; a great place to live in every sense."

How Rochdale is tackling climate change in the borough can be found here Tackling climate change in the borough of Rochdale

Greater Manchester’s ambitious approach to climate action can be found here Green City Region.