News / Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership
New community climate plans spring into action
Five more organisations launched climate action plans for their communities last week, with another seven to be developed over the next year.
Bedminster, Brislington, Hillfields, Knowle and Southmead were represented at a celebratory launch event at Sparks on Thursday, following a year of local consultation on community priorities for climate and nature recovery.
The Community Climate Action project is led by Bristol Climate & Nature partnership, which so far has helped Easton, Lockleaze, Hartcliffe, Lawrence Weston, refugee communities and Bristol’s community of Disabled people, to develop plans unique to the needs of their own communities.
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Head of community partnerships, Amy Harrison, said, “We’re developing a model of community-led climate action in Bristol which we hope can be shared and replicated nationally.”
The project ensures plans deliver positive changes for nature while also offering social benefits to local people.
Organisations involved in this new round of action planning have found the approach positive.
‘‘Eating, talking, planting seeds and imagining fairer, greener futures for Brislington created opportunities for new local connections, ideas and ways of working together,” said Georgia Bate of Bricks, the creative community hub leading on local climate action for Brislington.
“We hope the plan can offer a starting point to build on this process and serve as a catalyst, encouraging collaboration so Brislington can play an active part in Bristol’s just transition.”
Bricks used used community cooking and creativity to engage residents of Brislington and St Anne’s in developing their Community Climate Action plan – credit Bricks
The Just Transition declaration, brought to council in September 2023, is a commitment to leave noone behind in the city’s move towards net zero emissions. It aims to put diverse communities and those most affected by environmental breakdown at the forefront of shaping the response to the climate emergency.
The Bristol Climate & Nature partnership says this presents ‘a huge opportunity for bold, transformative climate and nature action to reduce inequalities and improve people’s quality of life.’
“Amplifying the voices of our communities across the city is how this work will be most effective,” said Ella Tainton of Southmead Development Trust. “The scale of the climate and ecological crises facing our communities is intimidating and we’d like to meet them with collective hope and action.”
Southmead Development Trust said in their local consultation they found residents are keen to protect their green spaces and create more opportunities for young people – photo: SDT
Ruth Green of Windmill Hill City Farm, spearheading the project in Bedminster, said the work has meant local voices are heard: “The project has given a platform for concerns and ideas. Local priorities have been identified with suggested collective action, to reduce carbon and improve lives.”
Knowle West Media Centre’s Annali Grimes praised the collaborative nature of the project which enabled them to develop an action plan “which champions community-led climate action, within a deeply rooted community with strong social ties and resources.”
Knowle West Media Centre said community climate action is essential to address social inequalities and improve people’s health and wellbeing – credit KWMC
And Sarah Rogers, part of Hillfields Community Garden, said co-producing the plan with local residents had been a positive experience for everyone involved:
“Having the chance to work with residents on so many different topics for this climate and nature project has been fantastic. It’s been inspiring to see all the people who have been involved and the sparks of inspiration it has created in our community,” she said. “I know this is only the beginning and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership intend to support 18 communities to develop climate action plans by 2025. They hope the model they have created in Bristol can be rolled out nationwide.
Main photo: Hillfields Community Garden
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