UKGBC helps Manchester metro mayor realise green goals

Following his election, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, announced his ambitions for making Greater Manchester one of the leading green cities in Europe.

To help realise these ambitions, he called a landmark Green Summit, which was held on 21st March 2018. Following an extensive consultation phase, the summit brought together environmental experts, interest groups, partner agencies, academics and local people together to accelerate Greater Manchester’s green ambitions.

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has come out in support of Mr Burnham’s ideas and part of this is strengthening its presence and influence in Greater Manchester.

UKGBC’s Director of Policy and Places, John Alker, was involved in the summit, facilitating the buildings workstream at the event. John featured on the bill alongside sustainability expert Mike Barry (of UKGBC member M&S) and BEIS minister the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP.

Priorities for UKGBC include supporting the Mayor’s green priorities, such as bringing down carbon emissions and fuel poverty in GM’s aging housing stock; helping businesses cut emissions from commercial properties; and ensuring that all new development aims for the highest possible environmental standards.

In addition to supporting the summit, UKGBC announced:

• The launch of a Greater Manchester Local Network, which will see UKGBC run quarterly events in the region, supported by a newly recruited Manchester-based Local Network Coordinator
• Bruntwood and Peel Land and Property will join the UKGBC network of over 400 organisations from across the industry
• A commitment to a UKGBC office in Manchester from Summer 2018

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I’m delighted that a well-respected national charity such as the UK Green Building Council is expanding its activities and presence in Manchester. I welcome their support for our zero carbon ambition, which they can help us achieve through their policy input, their training programme and further strengthening our networks of green business.”

John Alker, Director of Policy and Places at UKGBC said: “Greater Manchester has an opportunity to be a trailblazer, as it has been many times before in its history. It can demonstrate that high quality, sustainable buildings support an ambitious vision for the region as a clean, green and healthy place to live and work, which will support the attraction of talent and investment. UKGBC can help to deliver this, and I’m looking forward to an active programme of work with our growing local network.”

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