University brings net zero to life in Kirklees

The University of Huddersfield’s Business School welcomed local business leaders, regional policymakers, and sustainability experts for a workshop titled Bringing Net Zero to Life in Kirklees, as part of a wider research project evaluating the Net-Zero Readiness of Kirklees Top 100 companies.

The workshop session, hosted at the Huddersfield Business School, brought together representatives from Business Kirklees, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and around 15 of the Kirklees Top 100 companies. The workshop explored practical steps towards achieving Net Zero carbon emissions and how the Kirklees Top 100 companies can contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Kirklees economy.

The event was jointly led by Dr Eshani Beddewela, Visiting Professor Chris Harrop OBE, and Dr Rabake Nana from the University of Huddersfield Business School, together with Jenny Hill, from Business Kirklees, at Kirklees Council and Titus Carey, Green Economy Policy Lead (Green Economy) and Paul Collins, Inclusive Economy Manager (Green Economy) of WYCA.

Participants engaged in interactive discussions around three key themes:

• What is Net Zero? – Understanding what reaching Net Zero means for Kirklees Top 100 companies.
• Local, Regional and National Targets – Exploring how Kirklees’ sustainability ambitions align with West Yorkshire and UK climate goals.
• What Support Does Business Need? – Identifying the tools, funding, and partnerships required to help businesses take meaningful action towards achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.

The workshop forms part of a wider initiative aimed at supporting local enterprises to understand the opportunities and challenges of the UK’s Net Zero transition. By bringing together academia, policymakers, and business leaders, the University of Huddersfield, through its Policy Support Fund, is helping to accelerate regional progress towards a low-carbon future.

Dr Eshani Beddewela, Reader in Corporate Social Responsibility and part of the University’s Centre for Sustainability, Responsibility, Governance and Ethics (SURGE), said: “We are delighted to bring together local businesses comprising the Kirklees Top 100 companies and regional policy partners to explore and initiate a much-needed collaborative discussion on how we can make the Net Zero agenda real and achievable, within Kirklees. As a key stakeholder in this region, the University of Huddersfield and Huddersfield Business School are keen to facilitate such collaborative activities in order to engender viable practical business solutions.”

A further workshop is planned for early 2026 as part of the research project evaluating the Net-Zero Readiness of Kirklees Top 100 companies.