The Greater Manchester authorities which comprise 10 councils have agreed to launch a climate change agency.
The creation of the agency is a response to research that has identified the cost of climate change might be £20 billion over the next 12 years if no intervention is made.
The agency is being seen as an opportunity for the region and business.
The Chairman of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities environment commission Dave Goddard said: "This is a major step forward in our response to climate change. Our analysis confirms that climate change is as much an argument about economic prosperity as it is about environmental protection. The new global deal available on climate change presents us with a huge economic opportunity".
Steve Turner, head of carbon economy at the Commission for the New Economy, will lead the development of the agency.
The Association for Greater Manchester Authorities' members are Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan Councils.
