Bristol's development and fortunes are closely linked to changes in the nature and supply of energy. Our historical success as a trading city exploited the wind to power our ships and our modern city is based on the use of fossil fuels, in particular oil.
An increasing number of experts warn that the era of cheap oil is over and that an oil “crunch” is likely in the near future. A recent report from the Government funded UK Energy Research Council concluded that “conventional oil production is likely to peak before 2030, with a significant risk of a peak before 2020”. They also warned that “major new discoveries, such as those announced recently in the Gulf of Mexico, will only delay the peak by a matter of days or weeks.”
Given the likely consequences an oil crunch would have Bristol City Council and the Green Capital Momentum Group of the Bristol Partnership commissioned a study of the implications of “peak oil”.
This report is the first step in a long journey to make the city more resilient to the shocks of an oil crunch and to help us identify new opportunities created by a move from oil and fossil fuels to more sustainable and local energy. The report is being considered by the Bristol Partnership Board on 15th October 2009.
