Net Zero Week: How GC is supporting the global net zero transition

  • Thursday, July 9, 2026
  • Posted By The Growth Company

By Clare Fallon, Group Sustainability Manager

For Net Zero Week this year, we’re reflecting on the progress we’ve made over the past four years and how we’re continuing to take a holistic approach to the net zero transition.

This means not only reducing emissions within our own operations, but also supporting businesses, communities and individuals across Greater Manchester and beyond to do the same.

How GC is reducing its operational emissions

We’re committed to achieving net zero across our direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035, and across our wider value chain (Scope 3) by 2045.

As outlined in our Carbon Reduction Plan, we have already made significant progress in reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, driven by changes to how we use our buildings, energy and travel. These reductions reflect both targeted action and a growing organisational focus on sustainability embedded across our operations.

Our greatest challenge remains Scope 3 emissions, particularly those linked to our supply chain. These emissions sit largely outside of our direct control but represent the majority of our overall footprint. Addressing them requires long-term collaboration, transparency and shared accountability across the organisations we work with.

Recent increases in reported emissions do not reflect declining performance. Instead, they show a more comprehensive understanding of our environmental impact and a move towards more realistic targets.

As our carbon accounting evolves, we continue to improve data quality, expand Scope 3 coverage, and build a more accurate inventory to focus action where it matters most.

A key part of this approach is working closely with landlords, suppliers and partners to drive collective change. By embedding sustainability into procurement, influencing supply chains and strengthening partnerships, we are supporting a broader net zero transition that extends beyond GC itself.

How GC helps others reduce emissions

When we help organisations adopt green technologies, they go on to drive clean energy transitions across wider networks. When a manufacturer we support improves its processes, the result is a measurable reduction in carbon output across an entire supply chain.

Our role in the global net zero transition extends well beyond our operations, and this impact is delivered through a range of interconnected activities.

Promote place and secure investment

  • Marketing Manchester works with partners to promote sustainable practices across the visitor economy, contributing to Greater Manchester's growing reputation for sustainability.
  • Invest Manchester attracts investment into low carbon industries, strengthening the region’s green economy.

Help businesses succeed sustainably

  • GM Business Growth Hub delivers environmental and sustainability support that generates substantial achievements for both businesses and the wider economy.
  • Through Green Economy, we have helped businesses deliver over 2 million tonnes of carbon savings and £500 million in cost reductions, accelerating Greater Manchester’s journey to carbon neutrality.
  • The Energy Innovation Agency has supported over 200 innovators to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and helped more than 100 businesses reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
  • Made Smarter has supported over 2,400 manufacturers to adopt digital tools that improve productivity and reduce waste.
  • Innovate UK Business Growth has supported over 10,600 innovative businesses, with many scaling through sustainable innovation.
  • GC Business Finance provide funding and investment to help businesses grow, including backing sustainable ventures such as ethical marketplace Know the Origin through GC Angels.

Develop green skills and careers

  • GC Education and Skills has helped over 20,000 residents gain qualifications and engaged more than 3,800 SMEs, with over 350 people trained in green skills and technologies.
  • The Manufacturing Institute equips businesses with the skills needed to improve efficiency, reduce waste and transition to more sustainable production methods.

Support people to thrive

  • GC Employment, Justice and Health delivers tailored support to help people into work, achieving over 11,000 positive outcomes, including jobs, training and wellbeing support through Working Well: Support to Succeed.
  • Aspire Recruitment connects diverse talent with employers, supporting inclusive and sustainable workforce growth.

Secure investment through insight

  • We generate evidence, evaluate programmes and provide intelligence-led tools to support the net zero transition, including GC Insight's Sustainability Business Tracker and Business Growth Index, which help organisations build prioritised, actionable net zero transition plans.

The examples above demonstrate that progress is being made across GC: across every business unit, every function and every site.