Use carrot for carbon neutral city
THE prospect of a greener Manchester needs to be seen as a carrot and not the stick, according to city bosses.
Speaking at MIPIM, the international property convention in Cannes, Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham set out his vision for the city to be carbon neutral by 2038.
Speaking alongside the mayor of Oslo Raymond Johansen, chief executive of Bruntwood Chris Oglesby and Helen Gribbon of Renaissance, they spoke of the need to reduce emissions and stop designing cities around the car. They also agreed that the climate agenda needs to be less politicised in order to make process.
Mr Burnham said: “We need to turn it from a burden agenda to a benefit agenda, because it is the future.”
Raymond Johansen kicked off the panel debate saying: “It is a global issue with a local impact as 70 per cent of people in Europe live in cities.”
Mr Burnham said: “We have a lot to learn from Oslo. We know Manchester wants to be a global citizen, to do the right thing. But in the past we have also been an industrial leader, and this will make us an industrial leader again.”
Touching on the knock-on effect for developers, Chris Oglesby revealed that the ‘extra cost in the short-term paid off with the competitive advantage.’
He added: “As an industry we need to challenge each other and kick it on, sharing best practice.”
The Bruntwood man also said being part of the debate enables to be on the front door when it comes to legislation changes, which are inevitable.
“If we don’t drive this as an industry then the city won’t be as successful,” he added.
Helen Gribbon put the cost into perspective as she revealed £25bn was wasted each year across the construction sector due to human error. She also spoke of being more pragmatic with the materials that are being used in the construction phase.
Moderator Gavin Elliot, principal of BDP surmised: “We need to reconceptualise the climate agenda to bring about a mental shift in the way people think of it.
“It is going to be challenging but the issue is much more visible now in the mainstream media and it is a great opportunity – if we get it right in Manchester we will all benefit.”