Green Party Outlines Vision for Clean Energy Infrastructure

Manchester City Council has unveiled an ambitious new climate action plan for the period 2025-2030, setting a benchmark for sustainability in the region and mapping out a future that puts the environment, community resilience, and clean energy at its heart. This five-year climate strategy is a critical pathway for Manchester to reach its broader target of becoming a zero carbon city by 2038, twelve years ahead of the UK's national deadline. Businesses, residents, and stakeholders in Manchester must understand how these initiatives will transform energy use, urban infrastructure, and the overall economic landscape as decarbonisation accelerates.

Manchester Five Year Climate Strategy Driving Net Zero Progress

Manchester's five year plan aims to cut its direct emissions by 44% by 2030, equivalent to saving nearly 43,000 tonnes of carbon across council operations alone. The strategy is aligned with the wider Greater Manchester Five-Year Environment Plan, calling for systemic change in how buildings are heated, energy is generated, and transport is managed. Achieving these goals demands collaborative effort from local authorities, businesses, and residents.

In practice, improvements include prioritising energy efficiency retrofits, deploying renewable energy technologies such as solar PV and battery storage, and implementing net zero standards for new developments. This strategic vision mirrors the city's zero carbon commitment and sends a strong signal that Manchester is a leader in green transformation.

Electric Vehicle Charging Renewable Energy and Battery Storage Manchester Lead

Manchester plans to further roll out electric vehicle charging infrastructure, solar panel deployment, and battery storage across public buildings and facilities, backed by £695,000 of new funding in 2025. This upgrade targets libraries, leisure centres, and emergency services, improving their energy efficiency and cutting carbon emissions through solar PV and clean energy systems.

Over the plan's lifetime, Greater Manchester expects public facilities will save around £35 million on energy bills, highlighting the tangible financial and environmental benefits for the region. The Council also has a new Power Purchase Agreement for renewable energy directly sourced from a dedicated solar farm starting in 2026 – a deal estimated to save 17,600 tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030.

How Retrofits and New Standards Will Shape Manchester's Energy Future

A central pillar of Manchester's strategy is the mass retrofitting of residential and commercial buildings with modern insulation, smart heating systems, and low carbon technologies. The objective: to retrofit 60,000 homes and 650 public sector buildings by 2030, avoiding costly upgrades to local electricity networks and delivering energy savings at a fraction of the national cost.

This bold move toward electrification of heating – whether via individual property solutions or heat pump led district networks – is key to the region's carbon neutral trajectory. The council estimates that coordinated local approaches can deliver double the energy savings and wider social benefits at less than half the investment cost compared to more fragmented, national initiatives.

Manchester 2038 Net Zero Target The Science and Urgency Behind Local Decisions

Manchester's journey to net zero by 2038 is guided by a science-based carbon budget that restricts the maximum allowable emissions over each five-year period. Since 2005, the city has already cut its emissions by 44% via initiatives such as adding renewables to the national grid and local action. However, the most recent city emissions report warns Manchester used two-thirds (63%) of its carbon budget since 2018, with a concerning 7% rise in energy-related emissions during 2021 as activity resumed post-pandemic. This highlights the urgency for the step change delivered by the latest strategy.

What Challenges Does Manchester Face Delivering the 2025-2030 Climate Strategy

Manchester's climate action is not without challenges. Significant financial constraints, the need for more rapid infrastructure upgrades, and the sheer scale of decarbonisation required to keep the city within its carbon budget mean ongoing lobbying for regional, national, and international support is essential. Removing green subsidies has impacted local authorities' capacity to fund renewables, though innovative partnerships have delivered projects such as the Unlocking Clean Energy initiative, which brought 10 MW of new local renewable energy into service.

Despite these hurdles, Manchester is an internationally recognised climate action leader, regularly reporting progress and maintaining transparency in its public commitments.

How Manchester's Strategy Empowers Businesses and Communities

Manchester's five-year strategy is designed to empower all stakeholders. Alongside council-led initiatives, the city supports residents and businesses in reducing their own emissions by providing access to funding, expertise, and technical support for solar PV and energy efficiency upgrades. Businesses benefit from clearer planning processes and can take advantage of a local pipeline of £1bn in low carbon infrastructure projects targeting completion by April 2026. The region's partnership with SSE Energy Solutions and local innovation clusters is building a green skills workforce, equipping people with long-term career prospects and supporting new jobs in cleantech and sustainable construction.

Guide to Getting Involved in Manchester's Climate Vision

For home and business owners in Manchester, getting involved can mean accessing funding for solar PV, battery storage, or retrofitting, switching to renewable energy contracts, and collaborating locally to champion clean energy practices. Atlantic Renewables' team of experts is available to advise on all aspects of solar and battery projects, helping organisations and individuals benefit from market-leading technologies and local government support.

If searching for a solar PV system, battery storage solution, or professional advice on energy efficiency upgrades, Atlantic Renewables offers tailored solutions for Manchester residents. Explore our guides to commercial and residential solar projects.

Get in touch

Looking to join Manchester's climate leadership journey and reduce your energy bills? If aiming to install solar PV, upgrade to battery storage, or need help improving efficiency, contact Atlantic Renewables on 0161 207 4044. Our engineers guide local homeowners and businesses through planning, finance, and installation, helping make Manchester a zero-carbon city for all.