Council takes part in live debate with North West Leaders at the Sustainability Show, Manchester

Last month, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Energy and Green Spaces, Cllr Matt Bryan, took part in a live debate at the Sustainability Show in Manchester.


The discussion session was focused on delivering a renewable future – a vision for hope in the North West. On the discussion panel, alongside Cllr Bryan, were Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester Mayor), Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor), representatives from the North West Net Zero Youth Network, Dale Vince (Founder of Ecotricity), Rose Marley (CEO Cooperatives UK) and Ameria Sawas (Chief Research and Engagement Officer at Climate Outreach).

The NW Net Zero (NWNZ) Youth Network discussed some of the actions highlighted in their report, which was developed following the NWNZ Youth Conference in October 2022. Sustainable transport options were a flagged as a priority, with improvements to public transport and cycling infrastructure highlighted as an important focus for local leaders.

Educational initiatives around energy use and simple steps we can all take to make a difference were also discussed, alongside support for businesses to use green energy in the region. And jobs and skills in the green sector, plus creating and protecting green spaces in their local areas, are issues where the group would like to see more work done.

The panel discussed the initial findings from the North West Green Task Force, a collaboration between the leaders of the North West and some of the other members of the panel. Their findings provided a valuable initial analysis of the potential for renewable energy generation in the region. The report suggestions that renewable energy presents us with an opportunity for a green industrial revolution, where improving our carbon footprint can also reduce people’s energy bills and create good, skilled jobs locally.

The panel also discussed the urgency of devolved powers to our region to help facilitate the rapid decarbonisation for other areas across the UK.

Cheshire West and Chester Council will continue to work closely with both the NWNZ Youth network and the North West Green Taskforce to ensure our borough is represented in future discussions and the voice of the younger generation in our area feeds in to our climate action plans.