Greener and fairer
Manchester is a radical, progressive city which believes in fairness, social justice and a more sustainable future.
We have some ambitious net zero goals. And we’re going all out to achieve them. Our overall target is to become zero carbon, zero waste and climate resilient by 2038. Here are just a few of the ways we’re going to get there…
At the UK's largest engineering campus, the new engineering buildings at the University of Manchester, sustainability has been built in. Home to world-class facilities, the building had a low carbon, energy efficient fabric first design and now boasts a BREEAM Excellent rating, a new active travel hub and green roof. It’s playing a significant part in bringing the University closer to its commitment to be net zero carbon by 2038, with 50% lower predicted energy use than the buildings it replaced and 40% lower carbon emissions.
Our greenspaces number 145… and counting. Over at Mayfield, the development is a beacon of sustainability. Mayfield Park is centred around the restored River Medlock. Any ‘waste’ materials were used on-site as engineering fill, irrigation and cleaning water is provided by the old Victorian wells, the play park is made from locally-sourced materials and the furniture from dockyard fenders. It’s the sustainable heart of this future city centre neighbourhood. It just shows what can be done – and what we will continue to do.
How about wind powered trams? Yes we have those. Over 60% of the electricity used to power the Metrolink network comes directly from wind farms, with the remainder coming from other green sources like hydropower or biomass.
Our greenspaces are also putting sustainability first – as you’d expect perhaps. Just beyond our city centre boundary in West Gorton, Sponge Park is a climate resilient park, designed with nature-based solutions to absorb rainwater and reduce flood risk. There’s also woodland, meadow and garden spaces for both community and environmental benefit.
And our venues are putting sustainability first, too. Over at Coop Live, intelligent building controls, air source heat pumps, solar panels, rainwater flushing toilets, sustainable travel options, trees, wildflowers and reusable cups are all helping to realise its vision of becoming the most sustainable arena in Europe.
