Partnership working underpins the development and delivery of Bristol's green capital programme. Some examples are:
Further details below.
Bristol was succesful in being the only UK city to be shortlisted for this award. It was one of 8 out of 35 cities selected by the expert panel, and was evaluated alongside Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Freiburg, Hamburg, Munster, Oslo and Stockholm. The Swedish capital, Stockholm, was selected as EU Green Capital for 2010, and will be followed by Hamburg for 2011.
Download Bristol's application and presentation material below.
European Green Capital -revised application for second round.
Bristol EU Green Capital Bid - Brochure Bristol EU Green Capital Bid - Supporting Letters Bristol EU Green Capital bid - Press Coverage
A new award, within the South West C+ Carbon Positive awards, this was developed to recognise an organisation taking positive action to tackle climate change in the greater Bristol area.
The winner of the 2009 Green Capital Carbon Positive award was the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) - an independent charitable company based in Bristol which works to advance sustainable energy policy and practice.
In 2050, most people in the UK will still be living in housing that has already been built. Yet the energy inefficiency and carbon dioxide emissions of our existing homes are simply unsustainable.
The project aims to refit 1,000 privately owned homes by the end of 2009. The goal is to scale up this scheme within the city region and take the learning and experience elsewhere in the UK. Help wil initially be offered to install draught proofing, loft and cavity wall insulation and to make improvements in glazing and heating systems. Where appropriate, solid wall insulation and microgen renewables, such as solar panels will also be introduced. Download their report 'The Future is Retro-fit'.
The project is one of five areas of work developed by Forum for the Future as part of its 10 year programme to make Bristol the UK's leading sustainable city region. The other areas of focus are local food, resource use and climate change, transport and sustainable literacy.
The West of England Carbon Challenge aims to help the region reduce their emissions in line with national targets. It challenges all organisations across the region to commit to making an average annual cut of 2.5% in emissions for four years, to reach a total of at least
10% by 2012. The West of England Carbon Challenge will provide support with measurement, management and reduction of CO2 emissions through advice, tools and practical support. For more information see www.westofenglandcarbonchallenge.org
The event is being staged in association with the Bristol Environmental Technologies & Services Initiative (BETS) and follows the inaugural BETS Expo in 2008. This year's event will be the largest business-to-business conference and exhibition ever staged in the South West, focused on profitable sustainable businesses development during the current challenging economic climate.
Bristol Green Capital is one of several sponsors of the event. For more information, visit www.betsexpo.com
4th December 2008 - Crunch Time for Sustainability - Hosted by Hyder Consulting
This seminar gave new insight into the policy, assessment tools and financial reasons why sustainability should be a fundamental part of your future development plans within the South West. It was well attended by a range of high level representatives from the built environment sector. Speakers: Ian James and Andrew Frost, Willmott Dixon; Celia Beeson, Bristol City Council; Craig White, White Design; Paul Maryan, Hyder Consulting
September 2008 - 'Lessons for developers, planners, contractors, investors, clients, and business leaders' - Hosted by Clarke Willmott LLP
This seminar gave attendees the opportunity to learn from experts how sustainable practices are being integrated into large scale built environment projects. It was well attended by organisations from across the built environment sector, Bristol business representatives and decision makers. Speakers: Peter Madden, Chief Executive, Forum for the Future; Dr Claire Holman, Peter Brett Associates; Mike Roberts, Vertigo, UKGBC board member
Business use of ICT costs Bristol approx £11 million per year in energy costs and produces 67,258 tonnes of CO2, which works out as 3% of citywide emissions or 7% of industrial and commercial emissions.
The Carbon Trust has funded Connecting Bristol to undertake a study to calculate Bristol's ICT carbon footprint and develop a Green ICT solutions database.
This study is important because it provides a baseline for Bristol, as a city, to measure progress in reducing ICT-related carbon emissions. For more information, visit http://www.connectingbristol.org/digital-environment-green-ict/
The Festival of Nature is the UK's biggest celebration of the natural world promoting the understanding of, and encouraging learning about the natural world and environmental issues.
Hundreds of activities are hosted in themed tents spread across the site, including: animal encounters, science experiments, nature themed arts and crafts, and informal conversations with experts and scientists. With the BBC Natural History Unit's involvement, the Festival also includes a programme of stimulating and inspiring talks and screenings. The Festival's content is specifically designed, managed and delivered with the aim of making the information and activities creative, fun and appropriate for all audiences.
A special day for schools takes place annually.