Cumbria’s potential to be a leader in helping tackle the UK’s response to climate change could play a key role in retaining and attracting young people.

That is the view of South Lakeland District Council leader, Councillor Giles Archibald, as he and counterparts from Barrow and Lancaster city councils laid out their ambition to boost the economy across the Morecambe Bay region.

Attracting and retaining young talent is one of the key areas which the Lancaster and South Cumbria Economic Region is looking to address.

At the launch of a glossy new prospects last week, Coun Archibald also highlighted the opportunity for the region to capitalise on its existing expertise in engineering, advanced manufacturing and energy, to play an important role in tackling climate change.

Speaking to in-Cumbria after the launch, Coun Archibald, said the two pressing challenges could combine to benefit the South Cumbria and Lancaster region – and the county as a whole.

“Climate change is an issue close to the young generation’s heart – you just have to see their reaction to the issue and their willingness to be involved in the solution,” he said.

“It is close to my heart and one that we have to address.

“Cumbria has a lot at risk due to climate change but is also presented with a fantastic opportunity to potentially be a leader.

“We have universities here who are very interested in this subject and may be able to develop globally-leading technologies we can work together on.

“There are lots of businesses that have an opportunity as a result of the increasing concern around climate change. For example, carbon capture – that is a science which I’m sure is going to get a lot of funding, and a lot of interest. 

“We have a large land mass here, so are there ways we can manage that land which will capture carbon.

“It would be great if we could have leading edge farm management up here. We’re talking to the Lake District National Park about these issues – how we can all contribute to mitigate against climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. 

“I think there are a tremendous amount of opportunities – and opportunities that could help to keep hold of young people or bring them up here.”

Coun Archibald also spoke of his support for plans the £8 billion road and barrage project, which would run from the Heysham area to Barrow, with the potential to extend across the Duddon Estuary.

The developers behind the plans Northern Tidal Powers Gateways, are set to meet with business and energy secretary Greg Clarke to discuss the plans, which could create 7,500 construction jobs and generate energy to power up to two million homes.

“I think it is a great idea – I love the concept,” said Coun Archibald.

“A quick journey across to Barrow and also generating a lot of electricity, what’s not to like. Obviously, we have to look at what it does to biodiversity, what it does to the marine ecosystem, and also the economics of it.

“We certainly need to look at it and not dismiss it out of hand.”

The project has the potential to create stronger links across the Morecambe Bay economic area. 

The Lancaster and South Cumbria Economic Region collaboration is looking to strengthen its existing physical and skills assets by promoting development opportunities to attract both private and public sector funding.

Leaders and chief executives from the three councils spoke of their ambition to see businesses grow and for that wealth to trickle down to everyone in their communities at the launch, which took place at Lancaster University’s Business Management School.

Coun Archibald told in-Cumbria that the collaboration is weighing up whether it will submit a Growth Deal bid to Government – following in the steps of The Borderlands Growth Deal partnership, which attracted £345 million worth of funding from both the UK and Scottish governments earlier this year.

Meanwhile, while businesses welcomed the Lancaster and South Cumbria Economic Region initiative, they were universal in their desire to see more detail and an outline of next steps.