Cross party support for Bristol's green capital bid

All four party leaders for Bristol’s political parties are showing their support and backing Bristol’s bid to be European Green Capital 2014.

Bristol found out earlier this month from the European Commission that it was one of only three European cities and the only UK city to make it to the final three, along with Copenhagen and Frankfurt. A partnership team including Bristol City Council, Bristol Green Capital, Bristol Water and Wessex Water are now working round the clock on the final bid presentation, which they will present to the jury in Brussels on Friday 8th June.

Bristol City Council leader, Cllr Barbara Janke, said: “To have made it to the final three when we were up against such strong competitors is a huge achievement and a reflection of how much progress Bristol has made on its environmental agenda. We’re delighted to have cross party support for this prestigious award and we hope the city will back us too. We have an excellent story to tell the jury about our successes through the actions of the council, its partners, green organisations and our local residents. We will be going to Brussels on the 8th June determined to bring the crown home for Bristol.”

Leader of the Labour group, Cllr Peter Hammond, said: “This is a great accolade for the city and we should be immensely proud of ourselves for making it to the final shortlist for the second time. Bristol has a strong track record for green innovation and partnership-working in this field, and hopefully the jury will see the great strides we have taken in the last few years and award us the title.”

Leader of the Conservative party, Cllr Peter Abraham, said: “We are extremely proud of Bristol for proving its worth when pitched against a number of leading European cities. Over the next few weeks, I hope the whole city will come together to show its support for this bid. Bristol already considers itself to be the UK’s leading green city and now we need to go all out to become the Green Capital of Europe.”

Leader of the Green party, Cllr Tess Green, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be in the final three for European Green Capital 2014. Bristol has been planning for many years to be a more sustainable city, with decades of grass roots support. By 2020 we are aiming to become one of Europe’s top 20 cities for sustainability, quality of life and achievement, and taking the title of European Green Capital 2014 would really help to show that we are well on the way to achieving this.”

To pledge your support for Bristol’s bid or find out more, go to http://bristolgreencapital.org/european-green-capital-award-2014/.

The winning city will be announced at the end of June.