BUSINESSES will play a key role in a new district partnership which aims to tackle climate change.

The partnership will meet four times a year and focus on a range of environmental issues.

Working under the umbrella of the district’s health and wellbeing board, it will advise and monitor progress on topics such as reducing greenhouse gases, identifying and addressing climate and related risks, health and wellbeing issues and developing an economy that eliminates waste.

The partnership involves Bradford Council and companies including Morrisons and Yorkshire Water.

Chairing the body – known as the Bradford Sustainable Development Partnership – is Dr Stewart Davies, who has been chief executive of two West Yorkshire companies and chaired several environmental organisations.

Dr Davies said the “expertise and knowledge” of the partnership’s members would contribute to work being done across the district to deal with climate change.

He added that it would also support efforts to create a “healthier and greener” future and to equip young people to live and work in a new green economy.

Dr Davies said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with leaders of local businesses, key organisations and Bradford Council to really make a difference in reducing the impact the district has on the environment.

“Bringing together their combined capabilities and insights is a great way to find opportunities to go faster, better.

“The partnership will seek to accelerate action on reducing carbon emissions and will also look at the economic opportunities which switching to a net zero carbon economy brings.”

Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said the initiative would provide a major boost to the district’s battle against climate change.

She added: “This new partnership is another step in our work to tackle climate change, which is a top priority for the district. It includes some major businesses with a large footprint in Bradford district and the wider region.

“Members each have specialist knowledge in their field and can offer a valuable perspective on this issue, as well as introducing innovation.”

For more about the council’s climate action work, visit bradford.gov.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-emergency-and-green-economy.