Plans for North East Carbon Marketplace unveiled

A landmark initiative aimed at tackling climate change locally has been announced, promising a greener and more sustainable future for the North East.

At the Net Zero North East England Annual Summit at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, North East mayor Kim McGuinness announced plans for a North East Carbon Marketplace. The initiative will enable organisations to offset emissions by investing in local carbon-saving projects, ensuring the environmental and social benefits remain within the region.

Mayor McGuinness said: “I made a commitment in my manifesto to deliver a North East Social Carbon Offsetting Network and to ensure we plant more trees than we cut down.

“The plans I have announced today will accelerate the delivery of net-zero projects and deliver real social change across the North East.

“Once launched, the North East Carbon Marketplace will allow organisations to invest in regional projects ranging from tree planting, peatland restoration, and retrofit; to carbon saving projects with additional social benefits, like community energy schemes, nature-based flood defences, and marine habitat restoration.

“Their investment will help to accelerate the delivery of these projects, allowing them to go faster and further than they could have done without it.”

The two-day summit on 26-27 November brought together over 300 delegates, 65 speakers and 25 exhibitors to showcase regional efforts towards achieving net-zero.

Highlights included keynote speeches from Professor Richard Dawson FREng, director of research and innovation in the school of engineering at Newcastle University and a member of the Government’s committee on climate change, as well as architect and TV presenter George Clarke, who discussed innovative strategies to embed circular economy in design, repurposing existing spaces, and developing green skills in design and sustainability thorough his charity, MOBIE.

Delegates also visited key regional sites, including North Tyneside Council’s Killingworth depot and Port of Blyth’s Energy Central Learning Hub, a new £15 million+ STEM education and vocational training facility developing energy sector skills, to see net-zero advancements being achieved first-hand.

Heidi Mottram CBE, chief executive officer of Northumbrian Water and Net Zero North East England co-chair, added: “Building upon last year's summit, we have welcomed almost double the number of delegates and significantly expanded our exhibition area, enabling the enterprises that play a pivotal role in our net-zero transition to showcase their work and network with others.

“The climate crisis demands a united, all-hands-on-deck approach, and that’s precisely what the Net Zero North East England partnership is here to foster: collaboration, innovation, and collective action.

“The success of this year’s summit speaks volumes about the momentum and enthusiasm for net-zero in our region – and we know that the cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of action.

“I am confident the Net Zero North East England summit positions the North East as a leader in sustainable innovation.”

Organisations interested in regional carbon credits or projects can find more details via the Net Zero North East England website.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →