Bristol has a strong track record of environmental improvements and a reputation for seeding initiatives and organisations who are pioneering solutions to the key environmental challenges we face today. From Sustrans, the transport charity responsible for the UK's National Cycle Network, to the Soil Association, the UK's leading environmental charity promoting sustainable and organic farming, to the Centre for Sustainable Energy which this year celebrates 30 years of providing energy and climate change advice, Bristol is a fertile ground for green pioneers.
In 2008, it was the only UK city shortlisted for the EU Green Capital award and was commended for its parks and green space strategy, air quality plans and environmental management of the municipality. And it came top of Forum for the Future's Sustainability Index 2008, in recognition of its impressive increase in recycling and composting rates and its consistently high scores on water quality, waste collection and green spaces.
These pages celebrate the diversity of initiatives and organisations who are contributing to making Bristol a green capital: a low carbon city with a high quality of life. They reflect the tremendous work in the city across the key areas of sustainable energy and climate change, sustainable mobility, green building, waste management and reduction, environmental technology, local food and retail, environmentally-driven social enterprise, and education and awareness raising.
We hope you enjoy reading about Bristol's rapid progress and future plans for improving transport, increasing the city's renewable energy supply, stimulating growth of the green economy (including local food and retail) and enhancing the city's green space and biodiversity.
If you cannot find information you are looking for, or would like access to strategic planning documents, please contact us. For a recent report on the city's overall environmental performance, as measured by an independent expert panel as part of the EU Green Capital competition which Bristol entered, download Bristol's bid from our Partnerships webpage.
