British green capital is leading in climate change solutions

Since 2015, Bristol has been named the ‘greenest city’ in the UK (Energy Live News and ComparetheMarket), being England’s first cycling city and a Fairtrade city; it trades fairly with nearly five million workers in 58 developing countries. Recently, Bristol Council announced a plan of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030. This means, the amount of carbon emissions that is produced, will be countered by funding an equivalent amount of carbon savings elsewhere. Bristol’s goal goes 20 years ahead of the national goal set for the UK in 2019, to reduce emissions by 100% by 2050. The One City Climate strategy, launched in February 2020, details the city’s approaches to spreading a shared vision of a cleaner environment and states that for this to be possible, there must be collaboration between many partners and civilians. You can read the project on the following link: https://www.bristolonecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/placeholder-climate-strategy.pdf

The Council has launched a website, bristolclimatehub.org, to spread awareness among its citizens on ways of lowering our carbon footprints. The webpage includes information on what individuals can do, such as choosing low carbon foods, shopping second hand and travelling car free to minimize pollution. It also provides information for businesses and how they can help by moving business trips to virtual platforms, encouraging greener foods and options, and using low energy bulbs. In addition, it debriefs citizens on how the national government and Bristol Council are working together to battle climate change and lower its effects on our daily lives.

Furthermore, despite a pandemic, Bristol has managed to continue fighting climate change and working towards a more sustainable future, which has earned the city a spot in the CDP A list. The CDP is a nonprofit organization that helps companies and countries record and share their environmental impact. The list is comprised of 88 cities worldwide, and Bristol is one of the four cities in the UK to make it to the list. Cities listed in the CDP A list have made major progress since the signing of the Paris Agreement, improving resilience towards climate change effects, and rapidly cutting emissions into the atmosphere.

Bristolians and visitors alike can visit many areas of the city to learn about Bristol’s green trends and legacy, starting with the We the Curious Museum’s Sustainability Tour, at one of the UK’s most advanced low-energy installations. One can also visit the Create Centre and Eco Home to explore environmental issues and discover greener choices with the many exhibitions and activities held throughout the year. Moreover, come to the Harbourside to see Bristol’s maritime history intertwines with innovation to create the Hydrogen Boat. Hydrogenesis is a hydrogen powered boat with a zero emissions fuel, unique to Bristol, and can be booked for trips in the harbour. You can also experience wildlife and nature tours by visiting the city farms across Bristol and spending time in the Nature Reserves or in the many green spaces around the city. As the green capital of the UK, Bristol’s climate change movements, initiatives and exhibitions will teach you everything you need to know to start living sustainably today.

Written by Victoria Cornelio