Leeds’ climate change strategy is a clear set of priorities that each of the organisations that make up the Leeds Initiative is working on to tackle the causes and impact of climate change.
It sets out a far reaching, city-wide approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making sure that Leeds can and will adapt to climate change. The actions themselves build on the successes of projects and initiatives already being delivered by the Leeds Initiative partners. And partnership working is key to the success of the strategy and securing a more sustainable future for the city of Leeds.
For more information on how you and your organisation can help to tackle climate change, please see the Leeds Climate Change Strategy or to discuss specific ideas please contact climate.leeds@leeds.gov.uk or 0113 395 1767.
Leeds City Council’s climate change action plan
The council’s climate change action plan shows all of the projects that it is working on to make sure it reduces it’s carbon emissions and helps others to do the same.
Looking at the past to prepare for the future
To help the council and other organisations prepare for the predicted effects of climate change, past extreme weather events and their consequences have been examined. Using these severe weather events, and looking at the way organisations and communities have responded, can help us identify areas in Leeds and services that could be vulnerable to weather patterns we might see as a result of climate change. We can use this information to plan for the future.
This information is available in Leeds’ Local Climate Impacts Profile (LCLIP). From the LCLIP we can see patterns in Leeds’ weather that mirrors UK climate change projections. In Leeds we can expect to see
- seasonal warming, greatest in autumn and winter
- more wet months
- more intense, short-periods of rainfall
- fewer air frosts and less snowfall
- more winter gales
The LCLIP shows that high winds, flooding and winter conditions affected the road network the most. Flooding caused the most damage and heart ache for business- and home-owners with wind damage also causing severe problems. Flooding and high temperatures affected the rail network. Power cuts were caused by flooding and strong winds and an increased demand for power during a heatwave was caused by more people using their air conditioning to cool down. Sporting and leisure events were disrupted by high winds and flooding. Schools have also suffered, having to close because of flooding, high winds and wintry conditions.
You and your organisation can use the LCLIP to help you plan and prepare for these types of events and emergencies. How would you, your family, your employer or business cope?
For more information on the LCLIP please contact climate.leeds@leeds.gov.uk or 0113 395 1767.