All new buildings in Manchester will be net-zero carbon by 2028, according to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), as part of a strategy to make the city carbon neutral by 2038.
In its draft Greater Manchester Plan for Homes, Jobs and the Environment, the city sets out its plans to ‘decouple emissions from economic growth’ over the next two decades. Buildings will have to be designed to produce no ‘operational carbon emissions’, but the GMCA has yet to confirm whether the policy will also require carbon-neutral construction and supply chains.
‘The need to decarbonise our economy means we must look at low carbon energy generation and storage, retrofitting of buildings, and low carbon transport,’ said Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
‘Future climate change pressures will also require the city region to adapt to bigger shocks and stresses – such as increased heat, drought and flood risk – which may require new sources of funding.’
