EACH major infrastructure project in the region is now being assessed based on its climate impact - a meeting has been told.

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board met this week, and among the items on its agenda was the green economy of West Yorkshire.

In June the West Yorkshire Combined Authority declared a "climate emergency" and pledged to act much faster to reduce carbon emissions.

And this week's meeting heard that each major project being funded by the Authority has to include information on how it will impact on the environment.

Tom Riardon from Leeds City Council, said the Authority was ahead of the game when it came to reducing carbon emissions, adding: "We are doing a lot better than other authorities in the UK."

Members said the Authority needed to do more to show how much work was being done to ensure their green credentials.

Proposed new £2.3 million cycle scheme in Brighouse to be discussed

Next week the Authority will decide whether to approve a number of schemes, including a £37 million park and ride scheme in Leeds, a cycle route between Brighouse and Bradley and plans to increase parking at Steeton and Silsden Station.

Like all Authority projects since the climate emergency was declared, each of these proposals will detail how it has been designed to minimise carbon emissions.

Referring to the park and ride scheme, which is based in Stourton and will transport people into Leeds city centre, the proposals say it will "encourage mode shift to a more sustainable mode of travel to/from Leeds city centre for up to 1,200 users per day, and support active travel with implementation of dedicated walking and cycling facilities, reducing congestion levels, increasing bus patronage, and improving air quality."

On the Steeton and Silsden car park plans it says: "The scheme delivery will encourage existing and new users to choose the train as a sustainable mode of transport for onward journeys, with the increase in parking offer improving the access and connectivity to employment and communities, supporting the reduction in congestion levels and improving air quality."

And the report into the Brighouse cycling scheme, dubbed City Connect phase 3, says: "The scheme delivery will support reducing traffic congestion along the A62/A644 by providing a safe, alternative active travel route for commuters, leisure walkers, and cyclists, encouraging mode shift from car to active travel for a range of journey purposes."