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Statement of Intent

Net Zero North East England is a new collaboration between local government, business, education, the public sector and civil society to drive a comprehensive regional approach to tackling the climate emergency.

A climate emergency

We see the climate emergency unfolding every day. News stories show Arctic ice melting, floods destroying homes, forest fires choking the air and heat waves melting tarmac. Every United Nations report speaks of the urgency to limit greenhouse gases. The science can be overwhelming, with tipping points and feedback loops. Many of us want to take action, but don’t know where to start. It can feel overwhelming.

In 2020 the North East produced 8,639 kilotonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. That’s 4.31 tonnes per person. And while that’s way better than the US, Canada or Australia, we need to move towards zero. Fast

We are not powerless. While world leaders negotiate at COP, we can take action right here, right now. We’re building a coalition of people in our region. Our local authorities and Mayors are on board. Our NHS. Our businesses, large and small. Our charities and community groups. Our people.

It’s for everyone. And you can join us too.

There’s some great work already happening. We’re creating thousands of well-paid jobs in renewable energy and decarbonising transport. We’re planting new forests, capturing carbon and restoring nature. We’re gearing up for a world-class climate education, from schoolchildren right through to adults retraining for jobs in new industries. And there’s much more to do.

The world cannot hit net-zero until cities and regions hit net-zero. Let’s show the world what the North East can do.

Our commitment

We are in a climate emergency. Unless humanity moves rapidly towards a net-zero future, the whole world is in danger. While international agreements and UK legislation will continue to develop, we will act now.

We will not wait and expect others to take the lead. We will work together as local and regional government, as businesses and public sector organisations, as charities and community organisations and civil society, to decarbonise the economy of North East of England. We can achieve more working together than we can working alone.

We are committed to align our decision making, as organisations and individuals, to creating a Net-Zero North East England.

We will develop a framework of support for those who take action. This requires a regional vision; co-investment from Local Government and business in a regional team to co-ordinate our work; advice and communications; and the promotion of collaborative working.

By coming together in this way, we will accelerate our region’s transition to a greener economy and society, in turn protecting and enhancing our natural environment and improving quality of life for all who live, work, learn and visit here.

A greener, cleaner, fairer region would mean:

Decarbonisation and the delivery of the North East’s contribution to national and global net zero targets

Clean growth and opportunities for more and better jobs, underpinned by innovation

Environmental protection, restoration and improvement

A ‘just transition’, leading to improvements in quality of life and growth that is inclusive for all in our region.

We believe this is a future we can build in the North East, and we aim to make it happen by:

  • Promoting information and advice so people and organisations can make choices that will support these aims 
  • Clearly understanding the contribution this region can make to achieving net zero and how it can get there
  • Ensuring strategies and actions across our region are delivered in a way that prioritise clean growth, environmental improvement and improved quality of life 
  • Attracting new public and private investment to accelerate progress

Our ambition

In the months and years ahead, Net Zero North East will be working towards a detailed shared vision and programme of action for our region’s future. This will include:

  • Establishing and adopting clear and ambitious targets for the region that can be monitored and evaluated
  • Aligning key regional strategies and programmes, including the next stage of our region’s Economic Plan, in support of our vision
  • Developing and scaling up a programme of activity that can generate resources and achieve national and international profile
  • Offering the region as a ‘test bed’ for pioneering new approaches, attracting funding and placing the region at the forefront of the green economy

Later this year, we will publish a detailed prospectus, identifying progress we have made so far, challenges and opportunities, including expert contributions from partners around the North East. It will invite views and proposals on how our region’s plans and pace should develop, with the aim of doing more and doing it faster.

This will be shared at a major event, to be launched in November which will develop a shared understanding of where we have got to, and how we can move forward together. We expect this to be a significant milestone for our region, demonstrating our commitment and capability to lead in this crucial agenda, and our determination to do so in a way that delivers benefits for all in the North East.

By coming together as Net Zero North East, we signal our intent to make that happen and urge others to join us in doing so.