Conference told investment in low carbon economy will
bring jobs and wealth to region
Economic growth and new jobs can be achieved through investment
in a regional low carbon economy according to experts at a major
new conference on decarbonisation in York.
The first York and North Yorkshire Carbon Negative Conference
welcomed delegates from a number of sectors to discuss drawing
investment into the region and bring ‘tangible benefits' to
residents, the economy and the environment.
Speaking after the event on Friday, York and North Yorkshire
Mayor, said: ““We are bold and
ambitious to be the first region in England to reach carbon
negative.
“Bringing people together, from across so many different fields
who share our ambition, at the first event of this kind for our
region has bolstered our drive to meet this target.
“York and North Yorkshire is leading the charge to deliver lower
energy bills, cleaner air, and economic growth for the benefit of
our region and the whole of the UK.
“Our bid to government for an AI Growth Zone demonstrates how we
can bring together the economic and environmental benefits. It
paves the way for Drax to house the world's first carbon-negative
data centre, turning a challenge into a powerful climate
solution.
“We have everything we need right here, from our landscape's
natural assets offering potential for low-carbon food production
and geothermal energy for warmer homes. With the support of
businesses and the Government we can build on our success and go
further.”
The 200 delegates also heard from speakers on how retrofit can
bring lower energy bills and create skilled jobs. Speakers also
appeared from combined authority-funded projects delivering low
carbon energy to community buildings. York and North Yorkshire
Combined Authority, which delivered the event, is aiming to
achieve regional Carbon Negative by 2040.
Keynote speaker at the event was , who chairs
the Adoption Committee of the Climate Change Committee. She said
York and North Yorkshire is doing ‘exactly the right thing to
deliver what we need to reduce emissions'.
She added: “The Combined Authority understands the crucial need
to attract private and public investment into a variety of
projects from energy generation and retrofit schemes to
flourishing bio-diversity and flood-alleviation schemes.
“As Chair of the Adaption Committee, we're always seeking ways of
adapting to climate change. York and North Yorkshire has an
opportunity to be leaders in this area because of its unique
geography with the kind of assets that can draw in investment
into reducing emissions and preparing for the changing climate.”
