Everything we do in Climate, Energy and Green Spaces is driven by Leeds City Council’s ambition to become the first net zero city in the country. By preparing the district for future climate impacts and supporting local wildlife to thrive, we’re helping to address some major environmental issues and bring immediate benefits for Leeds residents.

We are at the forefront of the council’s strategy for a sustainable city. Since declaring a climate emergency, the council has invested millions into plans to end the city’s contribution to climate change and improve resilience against future climate hazards.

It’s our responsibility to maintain and improve council buildings, making them greener and better places to work in. With everything we do, we aim to lead by example and encourage others to join us.

Every action counts. We’re committed to supporting people to make simple changes that will have a big impact on their own carbon footprints, whether through knowledge sharing, financial support or making ‘greener’ actions (like walking and cycling) easier and more attractive.

As well as working with council colleagues and local people, businesses and organisations, we collaborate at a national level on policy development and project delivery.

Our parks and green spaces are vital resources for communities as well as essential tools for combating climate change. Leeds boasts around 4,000 hectares of green space across the city.

We’ve set out our priorities for this amazing asset in our Parks and Green Spaces Strategy. We recognise that parks and green spaces are central to community life, bringing opportunities for leisure, relaxation and exercise that promote physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Visitors have plenty to see and do in our parks and green spaces. We offer sports facilities such as tennis courts, football pitches and outdoor gyms, as well as attractions including zoos, stately homes, a rare breeds farm, a plant nursery and a range of cafés and shops.

Our green spaces fulfil another important function for our residents at the most difficult times in their lives. Our bereavement services team manages the city’s cemeteries and crematoria and takes care of arrangements for bereaved families with compassion and sensitivity.

It takes a multi-skilled, forward-thinking team to deliver the diverse brief of the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service. We depend on a wide range of practical skills to maintain our parks and run our visitor services. Our team includes horticulturalists, zoo keepers, machine technicians, retail managers and catering staff, to name just a few.

We also draw on the expertise of colleagues with experience, knowledge and interest in the climate agenda, sustainability and environmental policy to develop and deliver our zero-carbon strategy.