The Greater Manchester 5 Year Environment Plan (5YEP) Partnership meeting was scheduled to discuss progress on the 5 Year Environment Plan, updates on solar energy initiatives, and the coordination of heat networks. The meeting also planned to cover updates on the GM Bee Net Zero initiative and the final outputs of the Net Zero Accelerator programme.

Quarter 2 Progress and Challenge Report - 5 Year Environment Plan (5YEP)

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the Quarter 2 Progress and Challenge Report for the 5 Year Environment Plan (5YEP). This report, prepared by Mark Atherton, Director of Environment at GMCA, and Carly McLachlan, Director of Tyndall Manchester, was intended for discussion. The report was expected to provide an update on the progress of the Green City Region Portfolio for the second quarter of 2026/27, covering July to September 2026. It was anticipated to detail key progress across all areas of the 5 Year Environment Plan, assess key challenges, and outline anticipated actions for the next quarter. The report recommended noting and commenting on the progress outlined and the latest positions set out in accompanying dashboards.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Vision and Programmes Update

A presentation by Daniel Dickinson, Low Carbon Policy Lead at GMCA, was scheduled to cover the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Vision and Programmes Update. The ambition outlined was for Greater Manchester to become the UK's leading solar city-region, aiming to lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, foster local jobs and business growth, and ensure benefits for every community. The vision detailed strategic aims and scale, including a projected 6.9 GW of rooftop solar potential by 2038 and an additional renewable energy target of 375 MW by 2030. Specific programmes for homes, public buildings, schools, businesses, and community energy were to be discussed, alongside the delivery approach across these areas. Updates on the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, including supplementary solar and battery funding, and a plug-in solar pilot were also scheduled. The Powering our Schools initiative, which had supported installations on 15 schools in Phase 1, was to be presented, along with plans for Phase 2 and a Solar Accelerator pilot.

GM Heat Network Zone Co-ordination Body

Sarah Holland, Programme & Policy Lead Energy at GMCA, was scheduled to present a report on the GM Heat Network Zone Co-ordination Body (ZCB). Heat networks, which supply heating and hot water to multiple buildings from a central source, became a regulated utility in January 2026. Heat network zones are intended to identify areas where these networks offer the most cost-effective low-carbon heating solution. The report was expected to share progress on proposals covering ZCB governance, legal structure, resourcing, and approvals, ahead of GMCA key decisions in November 2026 and planned establishment in April 2027. The report highlighted the potential for heat networks to attract up to £5bn of infrastructure investment and decarbonise up to 25% of the city region's heat demand. The role of the ZCB in zone refinement, designation, developer selection, and ongoing operations was to be detailed.

GM Bee Net Zero (BNZ) Update

Tom Addison, Low Carbon Economy Principal at GMCA, was scheduled to provide an update on GM Bee Net Zero (BNZ). The update was expected to cover the new BNZ website, the development of the BNZ Community platform, and the strategic choice between broader business engagement or a focused place-based model for industrial decarbonisation. Future priorities for BNZ were also to be discussed, including business engagement, industrial decarbonisation, low carbon sector and supply chains, green skills, and cross-cutting reporting. The partnership was asked to provide feedback on these priorities and BNZ's role in delivering the 5YEP.

Net Zero Accelerator - Final Outputs

Dan Griffiths, Head of Low Carbon Policy at GMCA, was scheduled to present the final outputs of the Net Zero Accelerator programme. This programme, running from April 2024 to September 2026, aimed to mobilise private investment into Greater Manchester's net zero pipeline. The report was expected to detail the programme's delivery and key findings, including new delivery and finance models, a £7bn investment pipeline, and £1bn in immediate delivery projects. Key findings highlighted the need for grant, subsidy, or blended finance for over 50% of the GM pipeline, the necessity of neighbourhood, borough, and regional scales for delivery, and the critical role of anchor off-takers for heat networks. The report also detailed the programme's partners and structure, including workstreams on asset class viability analysis, bundling frameworks, and the three accelerators: Project, Innovation, and Places. The final outputs included the GM Local Authority Net Zero Delivery Playbook and the GM Net Zero Investor Prospectus.

Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Schools Programmes

Tina Buglosi, Environment Policy Officer (Behaviour Change) at GMCA, and Eleanor Carter, Programme Support Officer [Sustainable Consumption and Production], were scheduled to present on the SCP Schools Programmes. The presentation aimed to highlight how schools can lead on environmental sustainability. The School Eco Refill Shop Programme has funded 44 schools, with Wave 3 involving 19 schools, resulting in significant reductions in plastic waste. The Eco Grants for Schools Programme provides micro-grants for pupil-led sustainability projects, with 44 awards made in Round 2. A new Bee Loved Fashion Schools programme was also to be introduced, focusing on textile waste, repair, and upcycling skills. The partnership was asked to note the update report.

GM Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan

Alice Johnson, Senior Policy and Partnership Officer at GMCA, was scheduled to present the final draft Greater Manchester Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. This strategy outlines how Greater Manchester will respond to the growing risks and impacts of climate change, aiming to minimise impacts on communities' health and wellbeing, enhance ecosystem resilience, and ensure infrastructure and the built environment are resilient. The plan is informed by the GM Climate Change Risk Assessment and aligns with the Greater Manchester Strategy. The partnership was requested to consider and comment on the report and endorse the strategy for approval by GMCA.

Dates and Times of Future Meetings

The meeting agenda also noted that future meetings would be held virtually at 10:00 am on 28 January and 16 April 2027.