Newcastle has been given this title for its efforts to become carbon neutral by 2030, and is one of only four cities in the UK that have received the top 'A' grade for their action in addressing the climate crisis.
Over 830 cities disclosed their climate data through CPD in 2020, and only 88 cities worldwide achieved an A rating.
Those that did have a city wide emissions inventory, as well as an emissions reduction target. They have also published a climate action plan as well as having completed a climate adaptation plan.
"The environmental crisis is the great challenge of our age"
Councillor Nick Forbes
Nick Forbes, the Council Leader for Newcastle, has said: “tackling the environmental crisis is the great challenge of our age, and as a city we want to ensure that we are at the forefront of efforts to rapidly reduce emissions.”
A spokesperson from CPD said that cities like Newcastle are showing that “impactful and urgent action is possible”, because they have increased their environmental action, setting ambitious emissions reduction targets.
In charge of the goal to become carbon neutral in ten years' time is the city's Net Zero Task Force, which is co-chaired by Newcastle University Professor Hayley Fowler.
"Our Net Zero Newcastle: 2030 Action Plan sets out the steps we need to take to achieve this ambitious target, and we now need to take this forward into action," says Fowler.
Councillor Clare Penny-Evans of Newcastle City Council added: “we want to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gases, build resilience to the impacts of climate change and grasp the opportunities of the new green economy.”
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