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Leeds will be the UK’s first net zero and nature positive city, rapidly reducing carbon emissions and restoring nature, supporting people and businesses to make increasingly sustainable choices that improve their standard of living and create a regenerative thriving city.

Three goals underpinning this ambition:

  1. Improving the resilience of our people, communities, businesses and services to the changing climate, restoring our connection with nature and creating quality green space where people can be active
  2. Rapidly reducing carbon emissions, creating warmer homes and lower energy bills which help people out of fuel poverty and support businesses to lower their costs
  3. Connecting the city by improving our transport system to be more sustainable, accessible, safe and affordable, providing people with good alternatives to car use

Why it matters

Climate change, rising energy costs, pressure on natural environments and increasing demand on public services are creating significant challenges for communities, businesses and local economies. Building a resilient and sustainable city is about ensuring that Leeds can respond to these challenges while improving quality of life for current and future generations.

A resilient Leeds is one where people, places and organisations are better prepared for the impacts of climate change, including flooding, extreme weather and growing environmental pressures. It is also a city where everyone can benefit from warmer homes, lower energy costs, cleaner air, better access to green spaces and sustainable transport options.

By reducing carbon emissions, restoring nature and supporting more sustainable choices, Leeds can create healthier communities, strengthen economic resilience and ensure that growth benefits both people and the environment. Delivering this ambition is essential if Leeds is to become the UK's first net zero and nature positive city while remaining an inclusive, thriving place to live, work and visit. 

13.8% of residents living in fuel poverty, higher than the national average at 11.4%

What success looks like

Success means Leeds is recognised as a leading sustainable city where environmental responsibility, economic prosperity and social wellbeing go hand in hand.

We will see:

  • Communities, businesses and public services that are better able to adapt to and recover from climate-related challenges.
  • Significant reductions in citywide carbon emissions, supporting the transition to a net zero future.
  • More people living in warm, energy-efficient homes, reducing fuel poverty and improving health outcomes.
  • An increase in high-quality green spaces, biodiversity and nature recovery across the city.
  • Cleaner neighbourhoods with less waste and greater reuse, recycling and resource efficiency.
  • Affordable, reliable and low-carbon transport options that enable more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
  • Reduced flood risk for homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.
  • Residents and businesses making sustainable choices that improve their quality of life while contributing to a greener city.

Ultimately, success will be a Leeds that is greener, healthier, more connected and more resilient, where environmental sustainability creates lasting benefits for people, communities and future generations.

  • Making a difference - links to projects page 

  • Resilient - link to plan on a page 

Supporting Plans and Partnerships

Leeds is working towards being a sustainable, cleaner and more connected city that puts climate resilience first. Through shared action and strong partnerships, positive changes are being made to reduce carbon emissions and improve our green spaces for people in the city.

Key supporting plans and strategies

Main supporting partnerships

Driving this ambition forward

The Leeds Ambitions are bold and will be challenging to achieve. No single organisation, including Leeds City Council, can deliver on them alone. To help achieve this, each of the four Leeds Ambitions will be adopted by a convening organisation or partnership. Supported by Leeds City Council.

The convenor for the Resilient ambition is: Leeds Climate Commission and Director, Rosa Foster.

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