WEST Yorkshire Combined Authority has won the ‘Leadership in Responding to the Climate Emergency’ at the annual MJ Local Government Achievement Awards.

The Authority, responsible for major infrastructure and investment projects in the region, declared a climate emergency in June 2019 and is working towards enabling West Yorkshire to be a net zero carbon economy by 2038 at the latest.

Over the past year, it has worked with its partners to strengthen existing commitments to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, put a number of programmes in place to help lower emissions and begun work to plan for net zero carbon future.

It was the first time MJ Local has handed out an award in this category.

It beat finalists Leeds City Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cornwall Council, Northumberland County Council and Reading Borough Council.

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Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said: “This marks a proud moment for the Combined Authority and I’d like to pay tribute to everyone who is working hard behind the scenes on our climate emergency agenda.

“We’re working in close partnership with our local councils, businesses and communities to ensure everyone feels the benefits that come with this transition including new jobs in green sectors, reduced air pollution and a sustainable, clean public transport network.

“There is no denying this is one of the greatest challenges we face – especially against the backdrop of an unpredictable global pandemic. But we must face this head on and not shy away from the difficult decisions that will need to be taken.”

Work by the Authority to tackle the climate emergency includes an LED street lighting programme in Bradford, the introduction of more electric vehicle charging points around West Yorkshire, flood management schemes, energy efficiency measures for homes and the CityConnect cycle way, which links Shipley to Leeds.