Leeds crowned Green Council of the Year

A Yorkshire council has been recognised for its ambitious environmental work with a national award.

Leeds City Council has been named Green Council of the Year at the Political Purpose Awards, presented by the Nature 2030 campaign and sponsored by Keep Britain Tidy. 

The accolade celebrates the council’s commitment to tackling climate change and driving sustainability across the city.

Achievements range from electrifying almost a quarter of its vehicle fleet and securing £2.5 million for new woodlands and meadows, to cutting landfill waste from 26 per cent to less than 0.2 per cent in a decade.

Projects such as the Leeds PIPES heating network, energy upgrades for low-income households and major improvements in recycling also contributed to the win.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious recognition of our council’s dedicated work and leadership towards creating a healthier and more sustainable Leeds.

“Our comprehensive low-carbon initiatives and innovative waste management solutions are creating tangible benefits for all residents, making Leeds a greener, cleaner and healthier place to live for current and future generations.

“We are particularly proud to see the Leeds recognised for achieving a near-zero landfill rate for our city’s household waste, together with the progress made to electrify our fleet and deliver an extensive energy recovery heating network that provides lower carbon heating to buildings across the city.”

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, added: “We are delighted to be named Green Council of the Year, which is a wonderful reflection of the dedicated work being carried out across the council and our partners as well as our residents and businesses in Leeds for supporting our efforts to be as environmentally sustainable as possible.

“The impact of climate change affects us all, so this really is an ongoing ‘Team Leeds’ challenge as we strive to become a net-zero carbon city.”

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