Conference held to mark climate plan’s first year
Proposals set out to reduce Manchester's carbon emissions were discussed during a conference on Tuesday night; a year after they were launched.
Organisations, ranging from schools and hospital trusts to large and small businesses, met for the Manchester – A Certain Future Stakeholder Conference, held at the Museum of Science and Industry.
The groups involved had contributed to Manchester – A Certain Future, which set out how the city would reduce its carbon emissions by 41% over the next decade.
The plan, coordinated by Manchester City Council, was launched last December by then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband.
Representatives from The Palace Hotel, MBLA Architects, and facilities management firm Carillion, as well as public sector organisations such as the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, spoke at the conference to share stories of success so far and their plans for future projects.
Northwards Housing, along with Claremont and Armitage CE primary schools were also represented.
Attendees also got to hear success stories from the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Wythenshawe Hospital.
The hospital won the Guardian Public Services Award for its green innovations, including introducing biomass boilers that burn wood pellets, reducing the trust's energy consumption by 26%.
Speaking prior to the event, Cllr Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, said: "More than 130 organisations have now endorsed the plan to reduce carbon emissions across Manchester, and I would like to praise these groups for the enthusiasm with which they've taken up this challenge."
The Stakeholder Steering Group is responsible for directing the plan.