Wakefield hosts Climate Summit
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Wakefield hosted its third Climate Summit on Monday 2 June with the aim of bringing together partners to continue to reduce carbon emissions across the district.
“The Climate Summit was a huge success, and I am pleased that we have once again brought together businesses, charities and voluntary groups to share ideas. The summit highlights the importance of partnership working to achieve net zero.
“We have set ambitious carbon reduction targets, and we know that to make progress we need to continue working together to safeguard our environment and prevent the worst impacts of climate change.”
Cllr Jack Hemingway
Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council
Over 80 people representing 42 partners, businesses and organisations came together at Wakefield Exchange (WX) to network and learn from each other.
The summit gave attendees the chance to discuss the district’s Net Zero journey and to update on their progress.
In previous years, attendees were asked to sign the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action pledge. Developed by the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, the regional pledge was the first of its kind in the UK. With the aim to create a movement of organisations who recognise action needs to be taken, to protect the region from climate impacts and unlock the benefits of a green economy.
This year, attendees were moved from pledges to action, participating in workshops to support their organisations on the path to Net Zero. The interactive sessions covered crucial topics such as Bid Writing, Business Decarbonisation, and the Circular Economy.
Wakefield Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and published its Climate Change Action Plan in 2020, which set a target to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030. It will also empower the district to become Net Zero by 2038.
More information is available at www.wakefield.gov.uk/climate