Jess Symons attends the launch of the rebadged, refocused and remastered Centre for Urban  Resilence and Energy at the University of Manchester.

Decarbonising cities has become an increasingly important policy and research challenge. Debates usually focus on the role of cities as producers and reducers of CO2; city-level policy responses to decarbonisation; and the strengths and weaknesses of these responses. Mike Hodson and Alex Wharton summarise these issues and the role of policy, practice and research in enhancing city responses in Greater Manchester; and set out future work to enhance responses.

By 2015, a large chunk of Manchester city centre will be connected to an innovative heat network. It is part of a long term plan designed to cut the city region’s carbon emissions, as well as encourage more sustainable commercial developments and tackle the pernicious issue of fuel poverty.

Two of  Manchester’s landmark buildings, built nearly 80 years apart, are at the forefront of the city’s low carbon future and a commitment to a 48% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.