This report presents policy options for achieving a net zero greenhouse gas emission (GHG) target in the North East of England in line with the UK’s Climate Change Act and commitment to achieve the UK net zero target by 2050. This implements the global target of keeping temperature increases below 2°C enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

The underpinning vision is to achieve net zero GHG emissions to meet national and international legal obligations, and at the same time to build on existing achievements of advancing the North East of England as a region with a very high quality of life in terms of a clean environment, high economic prosperity and strong social cohesion. This includes just transitions as crucial basis to gain and maintain public support for climate action, which requires a focus on co-benefits for local communities. Read more in the full report.

Author:

Professor Katharine Rietig, Professor of Sustainability and International Politics, Director of the Newcastle University Centre for Research Excellence in Energy; Academic co-lead for Climate Action/Insights North East; School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, Katharine.rietig@ncl.ac.uk, https://www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/staff/profile/katharinerietig.html.

To cite this report:

Rietig, K. 2025. Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions in the North East of England. Report. Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne

Acknowledgements:

This research has been funded by the British Academy, Research England and the Wolfson Foundation.