Only one candidate could make the hustings, the Green Party's Cllr Geraldine Coggins, but Cllr Eckersley sent a statement and answered our questions.

What are your priorities to make Greater Manchester more resilient to climate change over the next five years?

Climate resilience is about protecting people, homes, businesses and public services.

As Mayor I would work with local councils, the Environment Agency, United Utilities and emergency services to improve flood resilience, expand sustainable drainage, increase tree planting where it delivers genuine benefits, and ensure climate resilience is built into infrastructure investment.

I also want to see more regeneration of brownfield land rather than unnecessary development on greenfield sites. Brownfield-first development helps protect the natural environment while making better use of land that is already developed.

Every pound spent should deliver multiple benefits, making communities safer, improving biodiversity and providing better value for taxpayers.

How would you reduce wildfire risk on the Pennine Moors?

Wildfires threaten wildlife, water supplies, local communities and emergency services.

The Mayor should bring together local authorities, landowners, conservation organisations, water companies, farmers and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to coordinate prevention rather than simply responding after fires begin.

That means better public education, improved access management where appropriate, stronger enforcement against deliberate fire setting, better intelligence sharing, and investment in practical fire prevention measures such as fire breaks and habitat management where supported by environmental experts.

How can Greater Manchester lead on restoring and protecting wildlife?

Economic growth and nature recovery should go together rather than compete.

I would support habitat restoration, encourage biodiversity improvements through regeneration schemes and ensure public money is spent where it delivers measurable environmental improvements.

Protecting our green spaces is one reason I strongly support building more homes on brownfield land before releasing valuable greenfield sites.

How can everyone have access to nature close to home?

Access to green space should not depend on your postcode.

The Mayor should work with councils and voluntary organisations to improve parks, walking routes and local nature sites, particularly in communities with the least access to quality green space.

Investment should focus on maintaining existing parks properly as well as creating new opportunities through regeneration, community projects and better connections between green spaces.

What role should the Mayor play in improving river health?

Healthy rivers benefit wildlife, public health and local communities.

The Mayor should use their convening powers to bring together water companies, councils, environmental organisations and regulators to improve water quality and reduce pollution.

Greater transparency around river health, better monitoring and stronger partnership working will help ensure our waterways become assets that residents can enjoy with confidence.

How should new developments incorporate nature?

Good development should improve places rather than simply add housing numbers.

I want planning to prioritise high-quality design, street trees where appropriate, sustainable drainage, green infrastructure and accessible public spaces from the outset.

Most importantly, I believe we should build the homes Greater Manchester needs on brownfield sites first, protecting valued green spaces while regenerating neglected urban land.

How will you ensure young people have access to good homes?

Young people deserve homes they can afford in neighbourhoods they want to live in.

That means prioritising brownfield regeneration, ensuring developments include quality green spaces and proper infrastructure such as schools, GP services and transport links.

Housing should create thriving communities, not estates that lack the services and natural environment residents need.

How would you grow the green economy?

Greater Manchester has a real opportunity to become a leader in green industries.

Working with businesses, colleges and universities, I would support investment in low-carbon construction, environmental technologies, retrofit, engineering, nature restoration and sustainable transport.

My focus would be on creating skilled, well-paid jobs that give local people long-term careers while supporting economic growth.

Should the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund remain a priority?

Community-led projects often deliver excellent value because they bring together residents, volunteers and local organisations.

I support investing in schemes that clearly improve neighbourhoods, biodiversity and community wellbeing, provided taxpayers can see how money is being spent and outcomes are measured.

As Mayor, I would expect all such funding to be transparent, evidence-based and focused on delivering measurable benefits for residents and the environment