Delivering on NZC by 2038 - What will it take?

The race to net zero is intensifying. With 2038 only a few short years away, the built environment sector is under unprecedented pressure to move from ambition to delivery.

For Manchester, the stakes are particularly high: the city has committed to becoming zero carbon by 2038, one of the most ambitious targets in the UK. Manchester and the wider Greater Manchester region's net zero carbon deadline is 2038. This ambitious target aims for carbon neutrality, placing the region 12 years ahead of the UK government's 2050goal. 

This commitment is a core element of the city's Climate Change Framework and the Greater Manchester Environment Plan. Achieving this means meeting tight carbon budgets now and transforming the way we design, build, retrofit, and manage our places.

Key Aspects of the 2038 Target:

• A City-Region Goal: The 2038 target is a commitment for the entire Greater Manchester city-region, not just the city council of Manchester. 
• An Ambitious Acceleration: The plan aims to accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality, with urgent action needed to meet the science-based carbon budget. 
• Key Action Areas: The plan includes actions to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure, increase renewable energy, retrofit buildings for better energy efficiency, and promote green public transport and cycling. 
• Ongoing Progress and Challenges: While significant progress has been made, the current emissions reduction is too slow to align with the science-based target, highlighting the need for accelerated action from all sectors. 

At this event, Construct will visit Manchester City Council's ambitious targets, discussing the strategies, challenges and opportunities ahead. This event will explore whether Manchester’s plans are bold enough, fast enough, and equitable enough to deliver the change required.