….................................................................................................................................. 37 Page | 2 York Climate Change Strategy: A City Fit for the Future Foreword The York Climate Change Strategy, “A City Fit for the Future” was developed by the city for the city. It sets out our vision to be net zero and provides a framework to both reduce carbon and be more climate resilient by 2030. This strategy is your strategy to help guide everyone’s actions…
…. Taking action to reach net zero will require a concerted effort across all sectors of our society and economy; yet, we’ve already shown what’s possible. Not taking action will entail large and growing costs to be shouldered by us and future generations. The pandemic forced us to rethink how to live healthier, happier lives, what it means to be economically viable, and the importance…
…, set an ambition for York to be net zero carbon and established an independent Climate Commission for the city. Reducing our carbon emissions and adapting to a changing climate are crucial to ensure that York is a city fit for the future. Since 2005, emissions across York have reduced by 39%, but there is still more that we can do. The council is taking a leading role in tackling climate…
… change but accounts for less than 4% of total emissions in York. We will need to work together and mobilise the city’s public, private, community, faith, education and academic sectors to successfully deliver our objectives. As part of this Strategy, we have produced a Net Zero Carbon Pathway for York to 2030 that is consistent with our fair contribution to the Paris Agreement. We know…
… that York’s’ greenhouse gas emissions are mostly from buildings (32% residential and 30% commercial) and from transport (28%) and that significant emissions reductions are required to achieve our net zero ambition. If we do all we can with the currently available options, we will reduce emissions by 77% by 20302; but we will need to go further. We will need to go further through new scientific…