Bristol has nine years to become net-zero – should we be worried?

In November 2018, Bristol City Council took a much-applauded move and declared a climate emergency.

It was the first UK local authority to take this stand and then took the bold move of committing to becoming net-zero by 2030.

We have nine years to achieve this goal and time is ticking.

There is still much progress to be made. It means drastically cutting the city’s CO2 emissions, investing heavily in carbon offsetting and green energy.

There’s been a lot of (well-meaning) conversation on how we can become net-zero – but how is our action matching up?

Some progress has been made. Since 2005, Bristol (and the rest of the country) has cut emissions by 33%. This is a great start, however, it was an easy start thanks to investment in solar panels and wind energy. To reduce our emissions further, Bristol will need to look at more innovative strategies.

To achieve net-zero by 2030, it will require an unprecedented rate and scale of change – making sure the newest and most innovative green technologies soon become the norm.

Jody’s mural of Greta Thunberg on the Tobacco Factory aims to highlight the dangers of climate change

The fundamental changes that Bristol will need to make were identified in a report for the council by Bristol’s energy think-tank, the Centre for Sustainable Energy. They include:

• The phasing out of the use of gas for heating (replaced by a combination of individual electric heat pumps and heat networks serving many better-insulated buildings).
• The decarbonisation of electricity nationally, supported by far smarter use in the city.
• No more petrol or diesel vehicles in the city (with a major shift to public transport and active travel to cut vehicle miles and switch to electric vehicles for the remaining vehicles).
• No net carbon emissions from all new build developments.
• A significant reduction in waste, greater re-use and recycling, & the removal of plastics from residual waste.

The Bristol City Council’s strategy has many important points and recognises that road travel emissions need to be cut by 40% by 2030. We’ve seen progress in cutting road emissions and focusing on electric vehicles.

But where the plans become vaguer are around air travel. The plans contain no real specifics around reducing air travel – which is worrying amid proposed plans to expand Bristol airport.

Bristol Youth Strike For Climate Stop Bristol Airport Actioaction.

Co-shadow cabinet member of the Green Party, Lily Fitzgibbon, commented: “This is the biggest climate decision our city and region have faced in decades.”

“If approved the airport’s expansion would generate an extra million tons of CO2 each year, making a mockery of Bristol’s carbon targets.”

“The airport is currently appealing North Somerset’s decision to reject these plans. Now is a crucial time and Marvin Rees must get off the fence and make a clear statement to the planning inquiry to object to the airport’s proposals.”

To hear more about Bristol’s journey to becoming a net-zero city, Bristol24/7 will be hosting a panel event with experts from the Global Goals Centre, TLT, the Black & Green ambassadors, and The Future Economy Group.

For more details and to register for the free panel event on September 16, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-bristol-can-become-the-first-net-zero-city-tickets

The Bristol24/7 Presents event has been sponsored by TLT.

Main photo: Phil Riley

Read more: Is Bristol a leader in sustainability?