Who we are

Amy Lewis

Growing a Greener Greater Manchester

The Greater Manchester Environment Fund is investing in nature, creating jobs, and boosting health and wellbeing across our region.

Habitat loss, air pollution and climate change are all threatening the future health and prosperity of Greater Manchester. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In 2019, Mayor Andy Burnham launched Greater Manchester’s Five-Year Environment Plan which sets out an ambitious vision for a ‘clean, carbon-neutral, climate-resilient city region, with a thriving natural environment’. To help to make this a reality, the Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF) was established and is working to ensure a greener and fairer future.

GMEF is a Registered Charity (No. 1203198) and the UK’s first regional environmental impact fund, leading the way in environmental funding. Acting as a central funding source for environmental projects, we ensure that investment has a transformational impact and benefits investors and communities across Greater Manchester. Just as in nature, we aim to create a harmonious cycle where great community ideas and generous donors work together in their shared desire to improve our local, natural environment.

In Greater Manchester, we’re serious about making the changes needed so we can reach our target of becoming a carbon neutral city region by 2038, and for our region to be a greener and fairer place for everyone.

Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester

The Partnership

The fund was formed as a unique partnership between:

GMEF Manager - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust is well-known for its science-based conservation expertise and is at the forefront of bringing species such as red squirrels back from the brink.

The Trust has a range of environmental expertise including advocacy, campaigning, land management and partnerships, programme management, wider stakeholder engagement, consultation and communication, and fundraising, including experience in new and more diverse income streams and fund distribution.

GMEF Sponsor - Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of the ten Greater Manchester councils and the Mayor, who work with other local services, businesses, communities and other partners to improve the city region. GMCA’s vision is to make Greater Manchester, home to more than 2.8 million people, one of the best places in the world to grow up, get on and grow old.

GMCA recognises that the natural environment in the Greater Manchester region is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of the residents and the foundation of the local economy. GMCA has set out bold plans to create a city region that is fit for the future and will lead a new environmental revolution in the UK.

GMCA is working to ensure that immediate environmental leadership and action will tackle the scale of the environmental threats facing the region and secure a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

We also work collaboratively alongside our Trustees and Steering Group of influential and well-connected stakeholders.

Become a funder.

We're seeking support from philanthropic, private and public sector funding partners to do more for Greater Manchester's natural environment. Want to help nature recover across the city-region? Click here to find out more.