Council action on climate change

From bigger energy bills to hosepipe bans, climate change and energy security affect everyone in Bristol, so the more we can do to save energy and cut carbon the better. Although this can be a challenge, the good news is that dealing with these issues provides a whole range of opportunities, including saving money, creating jobs, improving living standards and enhancing the city environment.

Bristol City Council has been working on climate change and energy issues for over 10 years. With lots of successful projects completed already, Bristol is moving forward to a new phase of action. All the positive changes we make today will help to create a better future for the city and its people. Every area of the city is set to benefit, with plans for better street lighting, warmer homes, greener buildings and improved waste collection services.

The full extent of the work across Bristol is contained in the Council’s Climate Change & Energy Security Framework, which aims to reduce Bristol’s carbon emissions by 40% by 2020 from a 2005 baseline. Further details of the main projects can be found on our Framework Summary Leaflet (pdf, 2.3 MB).

Bristol’s carbon emissions have reduced by 15% between 2005 and 2009. This is one of the highest rates of carbon reduction of any major city and Bristol has the lowest per capita carbon emissions of the largest cities in England. This gives us great momentum to follow through with the next phase of our plans.

Climate Change & Energy Security Framework

In February 2010 Cabinet adopted the Climate Change and Energy Security Framework which set out actions for 2010/11. We have invested over £20 million in delivering projects as including insulating homes, installing solar electricity systems in over 30 schools, supporting 40 ‘green’ community projects and the Catalyst Community Energy Fund, adopting new low carbon planning policy and transport plans, and improving the energy efficiency of Council buildings.

Building on this success we have recently updated the Framework working with city partners. The Climate Change and Energy Security Framework 2012-15 (pdf, 145 KB) was adopted in March 2012 and includes over 60 actions covering emissions from buildings, transport, business and city-wide activity. The planned capital investment contained in the Framework is approximately £450 million, mainly for transport and energy infrastructure.

Our Targets

Progress against our carbon dioxide (CO2) target is measured using energy and transport data provided by the Government for each local authority area (external link). The most recent data is for 2009 and shows Bristol’s CO2 emissions have reduced by 15% between 2005 and 2009. During this time there has been a 20% reduction in per capita emissions, as Bristol’s population has grown by 6%. Bristol also has a target to reduce energy use by 30% by 2020 from a 2005 baseline. Overall energy use has reduced in the city by 14% between 2005 and 2009.

Adapting to Climate Change

The City Council has been developing its approach to climate adaptation over the last 3 years with support from adjacent local authorities in the West of England and local networks such as Climate South West. Key activities have included assessing the weather-vulnerability and climate-sensitivity of services, and bringing together over 100 Council officers and experts from within the city to discuss climate change threats and opportunities.

The Council is focussing on embedding climate change adaptation into strategy development, risk management and key decision-making where the aim is to influence everyday council business and long-term visions. This diverse team effort involves practitioners from adult community care to flood risk management, food specialists to asset managers and organisations such as the Environment Agency, University of the West of England, NHS Bristol and the Schumacher Institute.