Leeds could be the green finance centre of the North - but it needs to think big, capitalise on expertise and have an integrated approach to low carbon projects.

That was the message from a networking event to kick start low carbon projects in Leeds, which heard inspirational stories from trailblazing businesses and positive news about Leeds already being a "hotspot" for ethical investment. 

Over 100 attendees from investment companies, financial services, consultancies and organisations gathered for the event on 1 May, which was presented by Leeds Climate Commission and hosted by Leeds Beckett University at Cloth Hall Court in Leeds.

Research led by the University of Leeds has identified a suite of profitable and cost effective opportunities for transitioning to a low carbon economy at the city scale. The Project Development and Finance Networking Event was the start of a facilitation process to take these forwards.

Speakers included investment companies Iona Capital and Abundance as well as specialists from sustainable finance, business, the legal profession, local authority network UK100.org and consultancy firm Arup.

Read the report.