The Greater Manchester 5 Year Environment Plan (5YEP) Partnership meeting was scheduled to discuss progress on the 5YEP, including updates on the Warm Homes Plan, the Retrofit Portal, and the Climate Awareness Framework. The meeting also included deep dives into the Bee Net Zero initiative and the implications of the Greater British Energy Local Power Plan for the region.

Quarter 4 Progress Report - 5 Year Environment Plan (5YEP)

The meeting was scheduled to receive and comment on the Quarter 4 Progress Report for the 5 Year Environment Plan (5YEP). This report, presented by Mark Atherton, Director of Environment at GMCA, and Alastair Warner, Support Officer for the Environment Team, covers the period from January to March 2026 and outlines key milestones for the first quarter of the next financial year. The report indicates that delivery is progressing well across core decarbonisation programmes, including social housing retrofit and heat networks, though some elements remain dependent on finance, guidance, or national policy alignment. Transport decarbonisation is also noted as delivering visible, system-wide change. However, the report highlights key delivery constraints, including structural issues such as poor local authority estate data quality and gaps in clean heat guidance. Climate adaptation is identified as a growing risk area, with delivery slowed by limited capacity and prioritisation. The report recommends that the Partnership note and comment on the progress outlined.

Challenge Group Updates

Updates were scheduled from various Challenge Groups, providing insights into their progress and any challenges encountered.

• Bee Net Zero (BNZ): The BNZ board was set to receive updates on retrofit skills research, a 'Planet 100' campaign, mapping of the local clean energy, environmental goods, and services (LCEGS) sector, and the Green Summit. Task and Finish Groups were expected to report on Communications & Engagement, Industrial Decarbonisation, Green Skills, and Supply Chain Development. Future plans include revamping the BNZ website, creating a Community of Practice, and an employee engagement campaign.
• Low Carbon: This group was scheduled to focus on Aim 2 Buildings, with presentations on commercial buildings, retrofit advice services, and Net Zero Standards. Updates were also expected on the Green Summit and the new Energy Networks Innovation Taskforce. Task and Finish Groups were to report on Low Carbon Heating in Industry, Community Energy, and Hydrogen Strategy Delivery.
• Natural Capital Group (NCG): The NCG meeting was to cover updates on Local Plans and the Spatial Development Strategy, Local Nature Recovery Strategy Delivery, Off-site Biodiversity Net Gain, and Agricultural Funding and Delivery. Concerns were raised about the capacity to resource multiple subgroups and the risk of siloed working, with suggestions to focus on outcomes and leverage existing partnerships.
• Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP): This Challenge Group had paused meetings while governance arrangements and membership were reviewed. New arrangements, including greater alignment with the Communications Challenge Group and the Bee Net Zero Board, were to be presented for approval. Four task and finish groups were identified: construction, public sector levers, plastics, and textiles. The GM Food Board had also held its first meeting.
• Green Communication Delivery Challenge Group: This group's focus was on campaign sharing and supporting Green Summit delivery. They were also to support future work on sustainable lifestyles and develop a newsletter to engage new contacts.
• Five Year Environment Plan Forum: The Forum was scheduled to receive presentations on GMCA retrofit programmes, the adaptation strategy, and the outcomes of the Green Summit air quality workshop. Members were invited to provide feedback on the Adaptation Strategy. The Forum will support ongoing community engagement, with a proposed joint task and finish group with the communications challenge group.

Warm Homes Plan Delivery

Anees Mank, Programme and Policy Lead (Retrofit) at GMCA, was scheduled to present on the Warm Homes Plan. The plan outlines a £15 billion investment to cut energy bills and improve home efficiency, aiming to reach up to 5 million homes by 2030. This includes £5 billion of public investment for low-income households, with packages of upgrades provided free of charge. The presentation was expected to cover implications for Greater Manchester, including the confirmation of the importance of heat networks and zoning, alignment with the Future Homes Standard, and the creation of 180,000 jobs in energy efficiency and clean heating. Risks and challenges were also to be discussed, such as the potential for electricity bills not decreasing sufficiently to lift households out of fuel poverty and skills shortages impacting delivery.

Retrofit Portal Launch

Daniel Dickinson, Low Carbon Policy Lead at GMCA, was scheduled to present on the Feel the Benefit Retrofit Portal. The portal aims to address barriers to retrofit, including financial challenges, low consumer confidence, skills gaps, and a complex customer journey. It offers three routes for retrofit support: 'Get Funding' (via the Warm Homes: Local Grant), 'Get Advice' (including home assessments), and 'Get Going' (connecting users with suppliers on the GMCA Net Zero Housing Retrofit Framework). The presentation was expected to highlight the portal's marketing strategy, which uses layered and adaptive messaging focusing on comfort, health, and affordability, supported by resident stories and tangible outcomes. Recommendations included supporting the portal's promotion across local channels and integrating referrals into existing guidance.

Climate Awareness Framework

Michelle Lynch, Lead Programmes Manager for Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) at GMCA, was scheduled to present the Climate Awareness Framework. This framework provides a three-level pathway for climate understanding and action across Greater Manchester, designed for residents, organisations, and communities. Level 1, 'Bee the Change', is an introductory awareness game. Level 2, the 'Climate Awareness e-module', offers a deeper understanding of climate impacts and practical actions. Level 3 is accredited Carbon Literacy training. The presentation was expected to cover the framework's rollout and promotion strategies, including engagement with employers, schools, and partners.

Bee Net Zero Deep Dive

Tom Addison, Local Economic Strategy Principal (Low Carbon Economy) at GMCA, was scheduled to provide a deep dive into Bee Net Zero (BNZ). The presentation was expected to outline BNZ's partners, resources, and campaigns, highlighting how Greater Manchester aims to be the easiest place in the UK to become a net-zero organisation. It would also detail the deep-dive topics discussed, such as network and engagement mapping, commercial retrofit, active travel, sustainable tourism, scope 3 emissions, and the circular economy. Future strategy and objectives for a greener Greater Manchester were also to be discussed, including targets for business revenue growth, resource efficiency, skills development, and carbon literacy.

Implications of the Greater British Energy Local Power Plan for Greater Manchester

Daniel Dickinson, Programme and Policy Lead at GMCA, was scheduled to report on the implications of Great British Energy's (GBE) £1 billion Local Power Plan (LPP) for Greater Manchester. GBE is a publicly owned clean energy company aiming to accelerate renewable power deployment and ensure community benefits. The LPP prioritises giving power to communities, cutting bills, creating local jobs, and strengthening energy security. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between GMCA and GBE to establish a structured partnership, co-develop investment-ready models, identify pilot projects, build a pipeline of renewable projects, and maximise local benefits. The report was expected to outline how Greater Manchester's existing activities, such as the Mayoral Renewables Fund and 'Powering our Schools' programme, align with GBE's priorities.

Green Summit Review

Sarah Palmer Bland, Head of SCP at GMCA, was scheduled to present a review of the Green Summit 2026. The summit, held on 3rd March 2026, had over 2,500 attendees, more than 120 stalls, and featured a Mayor's Plenary session and 12 interactive sessions. The presentation was expected to cover media coverage, attendee feedback on the venue, food, exhibition space, and sessions, and to seek recommendations from the Partnership.