Lauren Hunter, YU Communications and Data Insights Officer & Kate Hainsworth, YU Associate
An era of implementation
COP30 concluded with a clear message: the time for implementation is now. At the summit, world leaders agree to accelerating implementation of the Paris Agreement, expand finance for adaption, launch a Technology Implementation Program, and strengthen cooperation across governments, regions, and communities. Pundits like Tim Smedley, Prospect, are right to call out how often those affected by climate change are not involved in the process at all, calling for greater visibility for those most anxious to see it succeed, while at the same time speculating on whether COP has served its purpose and how other bodies can take action. Against this backdrop, the outcomes of COP30 carry important implications for how climate action is delivered at regional and local levels all across the globe.
Climate action starts in our regions
In Yorkshire, a place-based approach is already being taken towards climate action. Higher education institutes (HEIs), local authorities and the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission (the largest climate commission within the UK and the only one operating at a regional scale) are working together to shape regional climate action plans, support adaptation, and drive industrial decarbonisation.
Devolution is also enabling local leaders to act on climate without waiting for national intervention. Local authorities are investing in climate technologies and research, through collaboration with the region’s HEIs, to create innovative solutions to flooding and coastal erosion, as well as supporting transition efforts with industry partners such as industrial decarbonisation in the Humber. It is clear, as highlighted at the summit, that subnational governments have a critical role in driving climate action.
Building climate resilience in Yorkshire through collaboration
Themes of ‘collaboration’, ‘resilience’ and ‘roadmaps’ emerged from COP30, all of which align closely with ongoing partnership work across the region.
In West Yorkshire, the recently signed Higher Education Compact, between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and universities across West Yorkshire and York, includes a shared commitment to enhancing environmental well-being. In York and North Yorkshire, the Combined Authority has funded twenty-three green schemes through a £7 million Net Zero Fund, alongside launching a Carbon Negative Challenge Fund to support public and private sector organisations to deliver local net-zero projects. Across Hull and East Yorkshire, industry partners are working together with the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre on Zero Carbon Humber, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has invested £13.7 million in a flood alleviation scheme under the Living With Water partnership and the University of Hull is leading on the COAST-R Network. While in South Yorkshire, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, South Yorkshire local authorities, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield are working together on the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre, to support a just and sustainable transition to net-zero. This handful of examples demonstrates how the region is already delivering the locally led climate action prioritised at COP30.
Moving Forward
Yorkshire continues to invest in the networks, infrastructure, and capacity to respond to the challenges presented by climate change – and our unruly recent weather reminds us why it is so urgent. COP30 made clear how far we still have to go, but by taking a place-based approach and working collaboratively, necessary change is happening.
COP30 called for implementation, Yorkshire is delivering.
