Social Cohesion

In our oil-dependent society any change to the price of oil, or access to it, quickly impacts on our lives. We are used to being able to get everything we need on demand, but expensive oil increases fuel, food and transport costs while interruptions in supply can leave people stranded and cause panic. 

Food and fuel poverty are already a significant problem in the UK and with Bristol having around 16% of the population living in the lowest 10% of multiple deprivation areas, there could be serious impacts here. Examples of dysfunction due to oil shocks have already been experienced in Bristol, the UK and Europe including panic buying, increases in fuel related crime and rioting. 

Emergency planning

In the event of disruption in fuel supply, the emergency response for Bristol would be dealt with under existing national and local emergency planning procedures. Emergency responses however are just that; they concentrate on maintaining essential services and protecting the vulnerable. 

The length of time for which emergency fuel plans could fully maintain essential services is not known. If a disruption were prolonged it would push more people into vulnerable categories and therefore stretch essential services beyond capacity. Prolonged fuel emergency could lead to shortages and result in civil disobedience and dysfunction. Frequent reoccurrence of fuel supply disruptions would put a strain on all city functions, services and budgets.

See full section on Cross-sector implications