Last month, we attended Net Zero North East Summit in Gateshead. Whilst an event you would expect to hear mostly about renewable technology, it was refreshing to have a broader perspective on Net Zero challenges in the region. Subjects included the just transition, communities (especially rural) and forestry.

On the latter, we heard from Lloyd Jones, Forest Manager at North East Community Forest, on a panel headlined ‘Carbon and Nature Markets’. He highlighted the benefits of retaining, maintaining, and enhancing the regions woodlands, trees, and hedgerows, and what positive contribution this has on net zero.

This was against a backdrop of an announcement by the North East Combined Authority Mayor, Kim McGuinness, that they are launching a North East Carbon Marketplace. This scheme will allow organisations to invest in regional projects ranging from tree planting, peatland restoration, nature-based flood defences, and marine habitat restoration, as well as other community, social and carbon focused initiatives.

Another recent, welcome announcement from the Mayor and Combined Authority leaders was that they are set to approve a £17m Environmental Stewardship, Coast, and Rural Growth Investment Plan to protect the region’s unique landscapes and help rural and coastal places to thrive. This includes supporting farming, food and forests, and the visitor economy.

The report went to a North East Combined Authority Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 26 November for approval, and the investment plan will be launched by the Environmental Stewardship, Coast, and Rural Taskforce this month (December), setting out priorities for the North East’s rural and coastal communities.

We look forward to seeing the outcomes and will keep you updated.

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