BRITAIN’S biggest cities have joined forces to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Core Cities Group of Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield have signed up to the programme run by a charity set up by former US President Bill Clinton.

The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) will see the councils work together and with the Greater London Authority to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the next two years, starting with improving energy efficiency of their buildings.

The scheme was announced at the Core Cities Summit in Liverpool by Cllr John Shipley, leader of Newcastle City Council.

He said: “This gives us the chance to demonstrate our commitment to addressing climate change, show leadership, and show that we are acting together to reduce carbon emissions across all our cities on a big scale.”

Ira Magaziner, chairman of the Clinton Climate Initiative, said: “We will provide the cities with support and assistance, building on our experience working with other cities around the world committed to reducing gas emissions.”