Climate Change

Introduction

Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today. Rising global temperatures will bring changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather.

For Bristol, climate change means warmer, drier summers (more heat waves), milder wetter winters, higher sea levels and an increased flood risk to coastal and inland areas. Across the globe, there will be more intense heat waves, droughts and more flooding. There may be severe problems for regions where people are particularly vulnerable to changes in the weather. For example Beira in Mozambique, twinned with Bristol.

The social, environmental and economic costs of climate change could be huge, as indicated in the Stern Review  on the economics of climate change.

The Council has a key role to play in tackling climate change by reducing emissions from our estate and as service provider (‘mitigation’), and making sure that we are resilient to the impacts of climate change (‘adaptation’). We also have a community leadership role, in supporting organisations and individuals to reduce their emissions and adapt to the changing climate.

related links

• What is climate change? - Information explaining what climate change is and what it means for us

• Action in the UK – Find out how the Government is leading action on climate change

• Climate change scenarios – Find out the latest climate change predictions for the UK

• Greener living  - Information on going greener at home and within your community. You can also find out about what’s happening across the city

• Sustainability home page - Find out what else Bristol City Council is doing to build a sustainable city

• Renewable Energy in Bristol - Bristol City Council and the Energy Management Unit have made a commitment to using and promoting renewable energy

• Stern Review – Information on the economic challenge of climate change

• Twinning - Information on Bristol Twinning & Friendship Agreements

• Met Office Clearer: Make a difference with the facts about climate change (pdf, 619Kb)

• Green Capital Programme - Make a Bristol Green Capital Pledge, and agree to take action to help make the city a Green Capital: a low carbon city with a high quality of life and to report your progress publicly.
   

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