Climate Action Plan for the new Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire

What can the new Mayor do for people and planet?

We're facing a climate and ecological emergency – the biggest threat we’ve ever seen to humanity’s existence. Whoever is elected as the new Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire can’t single-handedly solve the crisis, but they must use the powers they have to make as big a difference as possible. They have a very important role to play in providing a guiding vision for the area, and will need to work with councils, businesses, local communities and the national government.

Climate Action Plans are already in place for the 2 constituent councils of the new mayoral authority – Hull City Council’s Carbon Neutral Strategy and the East Riding Climate Change Strategy. But both councils scored poorly in analysis by Climate Emergency UK, with their overall scores below average for single tier authorities. Hull and East Riding Friends of the Earth has also been critical of the failure to tackle rising car use in the area. It’s clear that action needs to be accelerated in several areas. This Climate Action Plan will help the new Mayor do this using the devolved powers and funding granted to them. 

How green is Hull and East Yorkshire?

10 priorities for the new Mayor

1. Ensure all plans, programmes and investment decisions are in line with what’s needed to address the climate and ecological emergency and are aligned with international, national, regional and local carbon reduction targets.
2. Ensure that the voices of those most impacted by climate breakdown and nature loss are heard and given centre-stage in decision making.
3. Support new green jobs. Protect workers and communities through a just transition to a low-carbon, nature-rich, circular economy, including linking skills training to low-carbon jobs.
4. Ensure new development is zero carbon and served by sustainable transport using their influence on constituent local planning authorities. Use brownfield housing funding to deliver zero-carbon homes in locations accessible by public transport and active travel.
5. Take a leading role in accelerating action to bring existing homes and buildings in the area up to high energy efficiency standards (EPC rating C) to reduce emissions and put an end to fuel poverty. Ensure that existing homes, buildings and infrastructure are protected from extreme weather events.
6. Set targets and strategies to double public transport use and increase walking and cycling. This includes improving the quality, connectivity and affordability of public transport services, with a rapid move to bus franchising as a key measure to restore bus services to at least 2010 levels.
7. Lead the development of a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) to increase the supply of clean, renewable energy, including support for community energy initiatives and the roll-out of heat pumps.
8. Ensure that the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the area increases tree cover, protects and enhances nature, eliminates green space deprivation, and helps the area become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
9. Lead the development of a circular economy strategy for the region with local businesses and local authorities to both cut waste and resource consumption and boost the green economy, including encouraging alternatives to cement in construction.
10. Develop and implement a sustainable regional food action plan (alongside any existing plans) that delivers ambitious benefits to climate, nature and animal welfare. Any plan should ensure fair outcomes socially and environmentally: reducing environmental impact while at the same time increasing equitable access to nutritious and affordable food.