Liverpool Climate Action Accelerator City: The First City To Be Blessed With This Title

In September 2024, Liverpool made history by becoming the world’s first Accelerator City for climate action under the UN Climate Change’s Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) programme. This prestigious designation recognises the city’s unwavering commitment to innovation and its pioneering efforts in decarbonising its live music and TV/film production sectors.

Cllr Liam Robinson, the leader of Liverpool Council, was offered a unique speaking role at the upcoming COP29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. This platform will allow him to showcase Liverpool’s remarkable work as a UN-designated Accelerator City, inspiring other cities to follow suit.

To celebrate this achievement, Liverpool is collaborating with renowned artists such as Massive Attack to host a three-night live music event, titled ‘ACT 1.5’. This event will serve as a platform to showcase the city’s innovations in sustainability and smart design for live music events, setting a new standard for the industry.

By embracing its new role as a Climate Action Accelerator City, Liverpool is poised to become a global leader in sustainable urban development, setting an example for cities around the world in their collective fight against climate change.

Liverpool has been recognized as the first Climate Action Accelerator City for its commitment to rapid decarbonization in the live music and TV/Film production sectors¹. This title signifies the city’s pioneering efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable urban development through innovative approaches.

As an Accelerator City, Liverpool aims to embed decarbonisation methods into the city through policy, technology, infrastructure, and transport practices¹. The scope of this work will extend to include national film and television institutions, establishing cross-sectoral solutions with clean, green providers and sustainability-focused event and onscreen producers¹.

The Accelerator City programme is supported by a partnership network of private, public, and UN organizations including BBC, BAFTA Albert, and UN Climate Change¹. Liverpool’s initiative to accelerate decarbonization in the cultural sector has been commended for promoting sustainable behaviours and unlocking innovation¹. The city is proud to be the UN’s first Accelerator City for climate change action, given its significance in cultural exports and maritime history¹.

Liverpool has been presented with the first-ever ‘Accelerator City’ status for climate action². The city aims to deliver 8 experiments – 4 in TV/Film and 4 in music – to create blueprints for rapidly decarbonizing different elements of these sectors by 2025². The Accelerator City model allows for experimentation at a rapid pace within a city, influencing areas like transport, power access, infrastructure, and local legislation².

The Accelerator City initiative is seen as a practical and revolutionary approach to decarbonisation, attracting interest from industries, businesses, and cities worldwide². The project is set to involve various sectors, partners, and stakeholders to foster culture change and knowledge development, supporting the drive towards sustainable practices².

“Liverpool’s efforts are receiving support from various partners including the UN, DCMS, DESNZ, UNESCO, the European Space Agency, BAFTA, BFI, BBC, private sector supporters like Geopura, and more.”²

Liverpool’s remarkable journey to becoming the world’s first Climate Action Accelerator City under the United Nations ECCA programme has been marked by significant collaborations and progressive initiatives³. The city has forged partnerships with organisations like Massive Attack, ACT 1.5, and SJM concerts to develop sustainable live music events that not only entertain but also raise awareness and drive climate action.

In September, the United Nations recognised Liverpool’s remarkable efforts in implementing innovative climate strategies and fostering important partnerships in the entertainment and culture sectors³. This prestigious designation as the world’s first Accelerator City for climate action serves as a testament to the city’s unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing environmental challenges it faces.

Liverpool’s journey has been further bolstered by its collaboration with organisations like Massive Attack, ACT 1.5, and SJM concerts³. These partnerships have enabled the city to develop sustainable live music events that not only entertain but also educate and inspire the community to take action against climate change⁴. For instance, the upcoming ‘Act 1.5 presents…’ event at the M&S Bank Arena, scheduled for 28th-30th November, will be powered entirely by renewable energy and feature a meat-free arena, as well as 100% zero-to-landfill waste removal practices.

Furthermore, the event will encourage the use of public transport, with an estimated equivalence of 500 cars to 1 train being used to incentivise participants to utilise eco-friendly modes of travel⁴. The partnership with Merseytravel, Avanti West Coast, and Trans Pennine Express aims to generate a significant reduction in audience travel emissions, which typically account for up to 80% of the carbon footprint of major live music events.

“Expedition One”, a two-day event taking place on November 29-30, 2024, will serve as a high-profile platform to showcase Liverpool’s commitment to climate action³. The event will feature a series of live podcasts, Q&A sessions, and performances exploring the impact of entertainment on the planet, with the aim of inspiring audiences of all ages to become actively engaged in climate adaptation strategies and environmental policy.

Through these innovative partnerships and initiatives, Liverpool is leading the way in demonstrating how the entertainment industry can play a pivotal role in driving community engagement and fostering meaningful climate action³. The city’s journey to becoming a Climate Action Accelerator City serves as an inspiring model for other communities seeking to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time³⁴.

As the world’s first ‘Accelerator City’ for climate action, Liverpool is leading the charge in sustainable urban development⁵. The city has showcased innovative solutions to decarbonise key sectors, particularly the live music and TV/film production industries⁵.

Liverpool has implemented a pioneering integrated public transport and ticketing program (TAG Network) to electrify and power all major events and filming locations in the city centre with 100% renewable energy⁵. This partnership with King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) and Ecotricity aims to create a ‘plug-and-play’ pillar system for sustainable power generation⁶.

The city’s climate action strategies also focus on green infrastructure projects. Innovative solutions like GeoPura’s Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs) provide zero-emission power for off-grid, backup, and supplementary power applications⁶. Liverpool has also established a new Paris 1.5-degree compatible sustainability standard for major events to drive meaningful change⁵.

Community engagement is a crucial aspect of Liverpool’s climate resilience efforts. The upcoming three-night live music showcase, Expedition One, will demonstrate the city’s innovative approaches to sustainability in the entertainment sector⁷. The event will feature podcasts, ticketed shows, and installations, including collaborations with industry leaders and organisations such as the European Space Agency, A Greener Future, BAFTA Albert, and ITV Studios⁷. The culmination of Expedition Two in November 2025 will share the results of these sustainability projects with the global community⁶.

Liverpool’s climate action strategies are a testament to its commitment to climate resilience, sustainable urban development, and community engagement. These initiatives aim to create a more environmentally friendly and livable city for all⁵.

“Liverpool is leading on climate action and is showing real progress in sustainability initiatives within the music, film, and TV sectors.”
– Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region

The city’s collaborative approach, combining innovation and regulation, has the potential to inspire and guide other urban centres on their journey towards a sustainable future⁵.

Liverpool’s local government, led by Councillor Liam Robinson, plays a pivotal role in driving the city’s climate action agenda. The council is actively developing environmental policies to support decarbonisation efforts and allocating resources for sustainable initiatives⁸. Councillor Robinson’s participation in COP29 further demonstrates Liverpool’s commitment to sharing its innovative climate change mitigation approaches on a global stage and potentially influencing policy at higher levels of government.

The Liverpool City Council has been at the forefront of policy development to support the city’s climate action goals⁹. They have secured a fixed-rate green energy tariff from 2023 and are working on decarbonisation surveys for various buildings and schools to reduce energy consumption and offset remaining usage. The council aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 60% to achieve Net Zero by 2030, as illustrated in a bar chart depicting their glide path to this target.

⁹ The council has secured £9 million to decarbonise four leisure centres in Liverpool using heat exchange technology and PV solar. Additionally, they have invested £4 million into green infrastructure projects to tackle climate change impacts in the city⁸. Cross-sectoral solutions with clean providers and sustainability-focused event producers are a crucial part of Liverpool’s climate action strategy, as evidenced by their collaboration with Massive Attack, ACT 1.5, and SJM concerts on decarbonisation schemes.

“Liverpool’s local government is leading the way in developing innovative policies and allocating resources to drive meaningful climate action in the city. Their commitment to collaboration and global leadership is truly inspiring.”

– Councillor Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Council

Liverpool is at the forefront of leveraging innovative technologies to achieve its ambitious climate action goals. The city is exploring renewable energy initiatives and implementing smart city technologies to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions across various sectors¹⁰. These technological advancements are particularly evident in the entertainment industry, where Liverpool is pioneering sustainable practices for live music events and film production.

As part of its commitment to renewable energy, Liverpool has become the world’s first ‘Accelerator City’ for climate action¹⁰. The city is collaborating with local institutions like Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to drive research and innovation in this domain. LJMU’s new research institute, LiRICS, aims to accelerate world-leading research around climate and sustainability, bringing together staff and research activity from all faculties across the university¹⁰.

Liverpool is also at the forefront of smart city technologies, leveraging cutting-edge solutions to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The city’s Liverpool City Region HDD project, for example, recently conducted a trial utilizing Open RAN technology¹¹. The project, which received £9 million in investment from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), aimed to reduce carbon emissions and test the performance of the 5G network in high-density environments¹¹. The project partners include various local organisations, such as LJMU, Aro, CGA Simulation, and the STFC Hartree Centre, demonstrating the city’s collaborative approach to climate adaptation strategies¹¹.

Furthermore, Liverpool has been recognized as the world’s first “Accelerator City” for Climate Action by the UN Climate Change¹². The city is pioneering innovative approaches to rapidly decarbonize the live music and TV/Film production sectors, including a three-night live music series at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool in collaboration with Massive Attack, ACT 1.5, and SJM Concerts¹². The Accelerator City program involves a partnership network of private, public sector, and UN organizations, aiming to pilot and embed decarbonization methods in the city and extend the scope of work to national film and television institutions¹².

“Liverpool has always been a city at the forefront of innovation and adoption. LiRICS is a significant commitment from LJMU to support local development using world-leading research.”

As Liverpool embarks on its journey to become a global leader in climate change mitigation and sustainable urban development, the city has forged strong partnerships with educational institutions. These collaborations are pivotal in driving research, fostering innovation, and engaging the community in climate action initiatives¹⁰.

The establishment of the Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS) at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) marks a significant milestone in the city’s climate action efforts¹⁰. LiRICS brings together researchers from across LJMU’s faculties to accelerate world-leading research around climate and sustainability, contributing to Liverpool’s position as a climate action accelerator city¹⁰.

Moreover, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is playing a crucial role in the MusicFutures initiative, which aims to position the Liverpool City Region as a music research and development powerhouse¹³. LIPA will create apprenticeships for the next generation of musicians, ensuring the city’s artistic and cultural sectors are at the forefront of sustainable practices¹³.

Beyond research and development, Liverpool’s educational institutions are actively engaging students in the city’s climate action efforts. The MusicFutures initiative, for example, will provide new funding opportunities and bespoke training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the music industry, empowering over 1,400 regional music businesses to flourish and create a more fair and inclusive future industry¹³.

Furthermore, the Liverpool Creative Cluster, a collaborative effort between the city’s educational and industry partners, will offer industry demand-driven programs and foster commercial opportunities through local and external investments, ensuring the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs are equipped to drive sustainable urban development¹³.

These partnerships with educational institutions are instrumental in Liverpool’s mission to become a global leader in climate change mitigation and sustainable urban development, leveraging the city’s vibrant community and fostering a new generation of climate-conscious citizens¹⁰.

Liverpool’s climate action strategy places a strong emphasis on community engagement, recognizing the vital role citizens play in driving sustainable urban development. The city’s efforts to showcase sustainability through events like the upcoming live music showcase demonstrate a commitment to involving the public in climate initiatives¹⁴. The celebration event drew thousands of climate enthusiasts, underscoring the community’s enthusiasm for the city’s climate leadership¹⁴.

While specific grassroots movements are not detailed in the provided sources, such initiatives are typically integral to successful urban climate action programmes. These organic, community-driven efforts encourage citizen participation and foster a sense of shared responsibility for environmental stewardship¹⁴. The collaboration between ESA and Massive Attack showcased the power of creative partnerships in raising awareness and inspiring climate action at the local level¹⁴.

Similarly, volunteer opportunities are often a hallmark of climate-conscious cities, providing avenues for residents to directly contribute to sustainability initiatives¹⁵. The Liverpool City Region HDD project, which tested the resilience of 5G technology in a high-demand setting, illustrates the city’s willingness to involve the community in technological advancements that support climate resilience¹⁵. As Liverpool continues to solidify its status as a climate action leader, the city will likely offer more opportunities for residents to get involved and make a tangible difference in their local environment.

“Liverpool was highlighted as a city pioneering low-carbon urban technologies.”¹⁴

The city’s commitment to community engagement and participatory climate action is a testament to its holistic approach to sustainable urban development. By empowering citizens and fostering grassroots movements, Liverpool is poised to create lasting, impactful change that resonates throughout the community and inspires other cities to follow suit.

As a Climate Action Accelerator City, Liverpool has set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero emissions and enhance climate adaptation strategies within its sustainable urban development plans¹⁶. In May 2019, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) Metro-Mayor declared a ‘climate emergency’ with a commitment to reaching net zero-carbon status by 2040¹⁶. This aligns with the national ‘Year of Green Action’ declared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the UK that same year¹⁶.

In the immediate future, Liverpool is focused on decarbonising its thriving live music and TV/film production sectors¹⁶. This targeted approach aims to make significant strides towards the city’s net-zero emissions goal while engaging with key local industries¹⁶. Additionally, the city’s ‘Year of the Environment’ (YoE) initiative in 2019, launched in collaboration with various organisations, has heightened public awareness of environmental issues¹⁶.

Looking ahead, Liverpool seeks to expand its decarbonisation methods across a wider range of sectors, contributing to the broader objectives of achieving net-zero emissions and enhancing urban sustainability¹⁶. The city’s strategic spatial planning efforts, led by the LCRCA, will be crucial in building climate resilience and adapting to the challenges posed by a changing climate¹⁷. By incorporating long-term, holistic considerations, Liverpool aims to position itself as a leading example of a sustainable, climate-resilient city¹⁷.

“At the core of climate resilience are social, economic, and environmental systems’ capabilities to cope, respond, and reorganize during hazardous events while maintaining essential functions.”

¹⁷

Liverpool’s future as a Climate Action Leader looks promising, with plans to continue expanding its innovative approaches to urban sustainability. The city’s unique status as the world’s first¹⁸ ‘Accelerator City’ for climate action by the UN¹⁸ positions it to inspire and guide other cities in their climate action efforts. By showcasing successful initiatives in sectors like entertainment and culture, Liverpool can demonstrate how cities can effectively combine economic vitality with environmental responsibility, potentially influencing global urban climate change mitigation and sustainable urban development strategies.

The city’s climate action journey is set to progress further, with the upcoming ‘Expedition One’ event¹⁹ scheduled over two days on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November¹⁹. This event, which will feature live performances and discussions around climate resilience, aims to create a culture change and enhance knowledge for driving sustainable change¹⁸. The project involves partnerships with a diverse range of organisations¹⁸, indicating Liverpool’s commitment to collaborative efforts in tackling the climate crisis.

As the world’s first UN Accelerator City for Climate Action¹⁹, Liverpool’s innovative approach to urban sustainability is poised to inspire other cities globally. The city’s comprehensive strategies, spanning sustainable transportation, green infrastructure, and community engagement¹⁸, serve as a blueprint for cities seeking to align their actions with the Paris 1.5 goals¹⁸. Liverpool’s success in driving tangible change through initiatives like the Massive Attack project¹⁸ further solidifies its position as a trailblazer in the climate change mitigation and sustainable urban development arena.

1. Liverpool named world’s first ‘Accelerator City’ for climate action – https://theguideliverpool.com/liverpool-named-worlds-first-accelerator-city-for-climate-action/
2. One week later and Accelerator City has already changed the game – Culture Liverpool – https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/one-week-later-and-accelerator-city-has-already-changed-the-game/
3. Accelerator City – EXPEDITION ONE | VisitLiverpool – https://www.visitliverpool.com/accelerator-city/expedition-one/
4. City to stage landmark climate action concerts – Liverpool Express – https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/city-to-stage-landmark-climate-action-concerts/
5. LIVERPOOL NAMED WORLD’S FIRST “ACCELERATOR CITY” – https://www.liverpoolfilmoffice.tv/home/liverpool-named-worlds-first-accelerator-city/
6. Liverpool Becomes UN Accelerator City for Climate Action: Driving Decarbonisation in Music, Film, and Events  – GeoPura – https://www.geopura.com/blog/liverpool-un-accelerator-city-for-climate-action/
7. Liverpool shines spotlight on climate action – Liverpool Chamber of Commerce – https://www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/news/2024/11/liverpool-shines-spotlight-on-climate-action/
8. Liverpool to play unique role in global meeting – https://uk.news.yahoo.com/liverpool-play-unique-role-global-154133542.html
9. Action on climate change – Liverpool City Council – https://liverpool.gov.uk/communities-and-safety/action-on-climate-change/
10. LJMU welcomes Accelerator City status – https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/news/articles/2024/9/24/ljmu-welcomes-accelerator-city-status
11. Liverpool City Region HDD project tests low carbon credentials of Open RAN technology at Act 1.5 event – University of Liverpool News – https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2024/12/06/liverpool-city-region-hdd-project-tests-low-carbon-credentials-of-open-ran-technology-at-act-1-5-event/
12. Liverpool City Council on LinkedIn: Liverpool Named World’s First “Accelerator City” for Climate Action by UN… – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/liverpool-city-council_liverpool-named-worlds-first-accelerator-activity-7244241847772934144-VdEg
13. Stories – School of Architecture – https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/architecture/news/stories/title,1499372,en.html
14. ESA teams up with Massive Attack to boost climate action – https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Exhibitions/ESA_teams_up_with_Massive_Attack_to_boost_climate_action
15. Liverpool City Region HDD project tests low carbon credentials of Open RAN technology at Act 1.5 event – https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/news/articles/2024/12/9/liverpool-city-region-hdd-project-tests-low-carbon-credentials-of-open-ran-technology-at-act-15
16. PDF – https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/media/livacuk/publicpolicyamppractice/reports/Towards,a,Cleaner,and,Greener,City,(Long,Version).pdf
17. Strategic Planning for Climate Resilience – https://api.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/RTPI-Climate-Resilience-Report.pdf
18. ONE WEEK LATER AND ACCELERATOR CITY HAS ALREADY CHANGED THE GAME – Liverpool Music City – https://liverpoolmusiccity.com/2024/12/06/one-week-later-and-accelerator-city-has-already-changed-the-game/
19. Liverpool shines spotlight on climate action | Invest Liverpool – https://investliverpool.com/news/liverpool-shines-spotlight-on-climate-action/