Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater ManchesterMayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham details how achieving Net Zero is an opportunity for transformative growth in Greater Manchester, where sustainable transport plays a pivotal role.
Addressing climate change and pursuing Net Zero emissions represents a generational opportunity to transform our country, regions, and lives for the better. City regions like Greater Manchester are uniquely positioned to lead on Net Zero by linking climate action with improvements to people’s jobs, opportunities, and overall quality of life. In 2019, Greater Manchester set an ambitious target to achieve Net Zero by 2038 and this goal has acted as a guiding mission since then.
Acting on climate change is not a cost to be borne, but an investment in a better future. To tackle the climate emergency, we need bold action that supports more people to travel sustainably. Greater Manchester has led the way by creating the Bee Network: our integrated transport network, where we are bringing walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport together to enable seamless, sustainable journeys.
In Greater Manchester we are aiming for half of journeys to be made by walking, wheeling, cycling or public transport by 2040, with no net-growth in motor vehicle traffic over that period. Achieving this target will be crucial for us to achieve our carbon goals, but it is also an essential aspect of our ambition to be a place where people can live a good life.
Growth and Sustainability
The Government has rightly made growth a key priority, and here in Greater Manchester we are showing how the economy can grow and decarbonise at the same time. Greater Manchester and London are the only city regions to have grown faster than the national average between 2011 and 2021. While limited transport connectivity is still restricting growth in Greater Manchester, it is no coincidence that cities that have heavily invested in improving sustainable transport options have seen the largest economic growth.
Over the past decade, our Metrolink light rail network has expanded, bringing sustainable journey options to more parts of Greater Manchester, while also boosting the economy and improving people’s access to healthcare, education and leisure. The North East of Greater Manchester, where Metrolink was expanded to in the 2010s, has experienced the highest productivity growth in the region.
Building a Zero Emission Transport Network
The Government is committed to creating a 100% clean energy power grid by 2030. Metrolink is already powered by 100% renewable energy, and it is my ambition that by 2030 our bus fleet will be fully electric, meaning we will have a zero-emission bus and tram network.
We are making strong progress toward this goal. Since the Bee Network launched last year, we have introduced 100 new zero emission electric buses. By January, this number will rise to 242, as the remaining half of the bus network joins the Bee Network. Before the launch of the Bee Network less than 1% of buses were electric; by January 15% will be. Investing in new clean buses not only helps to reduce our carbon emissions, but it improves air quality, provides an enhanced customer experience and by being built here in Britain, supports the creation of green jobs.
Enabling more people to walk, wheel or cycle is a key part of creating the Bee Network. Promoting walking and cycling is a priority for me and I am proud of the progress we have made since I was elected in 2017. We have created 120 km of safe walking and cycling routes, and our cycle hire scheme, Starling Bank Bikes, now averages over a thousand rides daily. Additionally, we have set an ambitious goal to achieve zero deaths or serious injuries on our roads by 2040. Through investing in more people walking, wheeling and cycling we not only reduce our carbon impact, but we are also helping to deliver better health outcomes, nicer neighbourhoods, and improved air quality.
Integrating rail is crucial
Rail is also an important part of our transport network and if we are to a create a fully integrated transport network, rail must be part of it. We have a plan for eight key rail corridors to be integrated into the Bee Network by 2028, enhancing the current customer rail offering through greater modal integration, accessibility, and enhancements in performance. With the Government proposing both greater devolution to city regions and rail reform legislation, now is the time to fundamentally re-think how rail supports and integrates with local transport networks. With the Mayors of the Liverpool City Region and West Midlands, I have been making the case for new rail connectivity between Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool to support our economy, our climate and our people.
Invest in people and places
Greater Manchester has shown what is possible when we invest in places and people. By taking action to protect the environment, we are simultaneously improving public health, upskilling our workforce, and creating the foundations for future prosperity. If we are to achieve the ambitious missions the Government has set, we need to back our cities and regions with funding and devolved powers. Our ask is simple, back us to deliver a future that we can be proud of.
To gain more insight into the role of Local Governments in delivering clean energy initiatives, please click here.
This content was originally published in the Net Zero Investment and Sustainability edition of our Chamber UK Journal.
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