University of Leeds professor to help create Kirklees Climate Commission

The council has secured the help and support of Professor Andy Gouldson (Professor of Environmental Policy at the University of Leeds and Co-Chair of the Leeds Climate Commission) to develop and establish a Kirklees Climate Commission.

The Climate Commission is an initial step in the Council’s Climate Emergency Phase 1 plans to reach ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2038.

It will look to bring together major organisations and key groups across Kirklees to collaborate on taking action to address climate change.

It will be independent of the council and will promote leadership on climate change as well as providing independent advice, best practice and act as a forum where partners can exchange ideas.

Professor Gouldson will Chair an interim ‘advisory panel’ supported by the Council which will meet in early 2021 to agree terms of reference, members of the full commission and the initial commission programme of work. It is anticipated that the full Commission will meet for the first time in spring/summer 2021.

On behalf of the emerging Kirklees Commission, the Council has also agreed to join the ‘Place-Based Carbon Action Network’ (PCAN), a national network of other Commissions and developing Commissions which meets to share best practice and learning.

Councillor Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees, said: “As a council we are absolutely committed to tackling the climate emergency and our vision is to make Kirklees completely carbon neutral by 2038.

“However, this issue is bigger than the council. We do not have all the answers and we cannot do this alone. That’s why setting up a Kirklees Climate Commission is such an important part of our ambition for Kirklees. This is an issue that impacts on everyone and it’s right that we include as many people as we can in shaping the action we all need to take together.

“Professor Gouldson has a real track record in establishing and co-Chairing the Leeds Climate Commission and we are delighted that he is able to share his expertise with Kirklees and help us on our journey towards addressing the impacts of climate change.”