Bristol declares a just transition to net zero

A Just Transition Declaration was brought to Bristol City Council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Marvin Rees says that the declaration encompasses the need to align the city’s work on poverty and economic inclusion with the pressing need to decarbonise the city and protect ecological diversity.

It embodies a commitment by the council to ensure no one is left behind in the city’s drive to transition to net zero.

In January, the Bristol Green Capital Partnership published a just transition statement of intent, highlighting that the move to a net zero Bristol needs to “happen equitably, improve not worsen inequalities, ensure those least responsible do not make the biggest sacrifices and create new opportunities that improve quality of life.”

The city’s official declaration has been put together by a voluntary team that consulted with the US embassy, grassroots community groups and institutions such as the Trades Union Congress on the document.

It has been designed to ensure the benefits of a green transition are shared equally and that workers who will be impacted are consulted, and with the intention to empower communities.

The team is made up of Dr. Alix Dietzel from the University of Bristol; Emma Geen of Disability Climate Justice campaigner; Kirsty Hammond from Heart of BS13; Rachel Moffat from Bristol Energy Network; and Olivia Sweeney of the Black & Green Ambassadors programme.

Moffat outlined the declaration’s ten principles, a starting point for climate action so that “social justice can authentically be at the heart of the city’s transition” These are:

• Centring expertise of disadvantaged communities at every step of the journey
• Future proofed jobs for all
• Empowering disadvantaged communities to take climate and ecological action
• Supporting individual change through system change
• Fair distribution of costs and benefits
• Prioritising accessible communication
• Standing in solidarity with those experiencing the worst climate and ecological impacts across the globe
• Building inclusive resilience
• Infrastructure for all
• Embedding the process internally and at the beginning

Geen said: “This work is vital because a successful transition cannot happen if it’s not just.

“The climate and ecological crises are social problems that have their roots in a failure to respect all people, knowledge and life.

“Any attempt to tackle the crisis without addressing this root cause would be ineffective and short-lived…

“A just transition isn’t about sacrifice and struggle, but co-creating the fair, healthy and sustainable Bristol that we all want to live in.”

Kye Dudd, cabinet member for climate, ecology, waste and energy, said he hopes to encourage the One City Partners to sign up to the declaration, but that “we don’t expect everyone to be perfect – we see this as a direction of travel”

He agreed the declaration is a vital piece of work for Bristol at this time, saying: “This isn’t a choice, it’s necessity. If we don’t have a just transition, we won’t transition at all.

“This is becoming apparent in some of the changes that are being made and the reaction to them – the conspiracy theories around 15 minute neighbourhoods for example.

“It’s therefore more vital than ever that we get this right and I’m more than pleased to endorse this.”

The declaration was repeatedly interrupted by ACORN activists protesting a potential cut to the council tax reduction benefit, which they said will “increase poverty and send people to prison” as the scheme is a “massive lifeline to 23,000 families in this city”.

Rees concluded: “The scale and pace of change we have to go through to decarbonise our economy and lessen the impact on the planet of our lifestyle (brings) disproportionate risk to vulnerable people – through loss of jobs, and being structured out of the economy.

“The (Just Transition declaration) has brought into real focus the commitment we can make…to make sure the most marginal are not further disadvantaged by the journey we have to go through as a city to lessen our planetary impact.”

The council will encourage organisations across all sectors to sign up to the declaration. There will be updates at the next City Gathering on how signatories are implementing the principles into their climate strategies.

Main photo: Mayor’s Transatlantic Panel Discussion, credit: US Embassy London

This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile, and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.

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