Hull’s net zero story told on global stage as cities confront climate crisis

Oh Yes! Net Zero joined delegates from the C40 Cities organisation – a global network of almost 100 cities united to confront the climate crisis – at Smart City Expo in Barcelona.

Hull’s climate model was showcased at Smart City Expo alongside initiatives driven forward in cities such as Buenos Aires, Lisbon, Montreal, Oslo and Barcelona.

Billed as the world’s largest forum for smart city innovation, the event featured 25,000 attendees, from 850-plus cities across the globe, with 1,100 exhibitors and 600 speakers, ranging from government leaders, to global experts and opinion formers.

Oh Yes! Net Zero was highlighted as a business-led example of a city driving action to combat climate change, with a key focus on the campaign’s work to bring companies and organisations of all sizes together to collaborate and reduce their carbon emissions.

The Founding Partners of Oh Yes! Net Zero are global health, hygiene and nutrition leader Reckitt, which was founded in Hull; Hull City Council; the University of Hull; and place marketing organisation Future Humber.

Steve Hill, Oh Yes! Net Zero Project Manager, said: “By adopting a place-based approach which brings together businesses large and small, Oh Yes! Net Zero has been identified as a globally significant model of how organisations can work together to reduce their carbon footprint.

“We know that, for many businesses, getting started on the route to net zero can be a major hurdle to overcome. Through knowledge sharing and collaboration, we’ve helped dozens of companies create and implement effective carbon reduction plans.

“We were excited to share what has already been achieved through Oh Yes! Net Zero, and our learnings from both the successes and challenges faced by members, at Smart City Expo in Barcelona.

“In sharing Oh Yes! Net Zero’s story, we hope to help other cities and places across the world on their own paths to net zero.”

Mr Hill attended the event in Barcelona with Peter Edwards, Reckitt’s Global Public Policy and Stakeholder Management Director.

The pair presented Oh Yes! Net Zero and its work to an audience of smart city and climate leaders from across the world, and discussed Hull’s success as a City Business Climate Alliance (CBCA) which is actively working to reduce its environmental impact.

Oh Yes! Net Zero’s presence at Smart City Expo reflects a growing partnership with C40 Cities and recognition of the campaign’s success in galvanising ambitious climate action.

Energy and Environment was among the key themes of Smart City Expo as cities explored how they can enhance urban sustainability while adopting global leadership in combating climate change. It comes ahead of a pivotal period for the world’s response to the climate crisis.

Cities play a crucial role in combating climate change because, although they cover less than two per cent of the Earth’s surface, they account for around three quarters of global carbon emissions.

Local authorities only have direct control of around four per cent of their city’s emissions, meaning decisive action can only be achieved when the public sector, private sector and academia work together, as in the Oh Yes! Net Zero movement.

Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities, said: “Whether it’s supporting net zero in Hull, training SMEs in Lisbon, or protecting people from extreme heat in Buenos Aires, we have seen the positive impact public-private partnerships can have around the world.

“More private businesses must now step up and invest time, money and effort into protecting and enhancing the communities they call home.”

Since launching in 2022, Oh Yes! Net Zero has driven significant investment into net zero projects, partnerships and skills.

Oh Yes! Net Zero now has more than 150 active members across Hull and East Yorkshire, including seven of Hull’s 10 largest businesses and is targeting half of its members to have a carbon reduction plan in place, and to have started on their net zero transition.

The campaign runs carbon clinics enabling businesses to come together to discuss their net zero initiatives, successes and challenges, and to work with their supply chains to measure their carbon footprint, create a reduction plan, and action it.

Small businesses are invited to a calendar of events and activities, putting them in a room with both experts and those who are also at the start of their carbon reduction roadmap.

Through its Climate Changemakers programme, Oh Yes! Net Zero also works with schools across Hull and surrounding areas to empower youth voices and inspire the next generation of climate champions.

To find out more about the impact of Oh Yes! Net Zero, read the campaign’s two-year report here.