News / climate change
‘History will not judge inaction on climate change kindly’
With just 12 years to avoid “catastrophic climate change”, Bristol’s Green group has put together an action plan for the city.
The Change Starts Now report covers key steps needed to help Bristol achieve its ambitious pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030, drawing on initiatives adopted elsewhere, and calling on everyone to rise to the challenge.
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is needed now More than ever
Read more: Bristol declares climate emergency and pledges to become carbon neutral by 2030
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“We know that our council and our city have the collective determination, expertise and imagination to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, whilst also maintaining and strengthening our commitment to social justice and equality,” the report states.
It covers key topics including energy generation, transport, housing, business and industry, food waste and encouraging behavioural change.
Eleanor Combley it’s time for politicians to respond
Leader of the Green councillor group Eleanor Combley said: “We have just 12 years to avoid catastrophic climate change by limiting global warming to below 1.5°C. I have teenage children now, and by the time they are in their twenties it will be too late.
“The scientists have done their job by telling us of the risks of floods, droughts and extreme heat and the increase in poverty, conflict and migration this will cause. Now it’s time for our politicians to respond.
“History will not judge inaction kindly. I’m proud that Bristol’s councillors from all parties have come together to vote for Bristol to have the most ambitious climate change targets of all the UK core cities.
“We now need these promises to be turned into action, and our Change Starts Now report outlines the decisive action needed.”
The report, by Bristol’s Green councillors, recognises that the city is already a leading player in renewable energy, but suggests that more sources could be explored, drawing on the region’s unique deep hot rock geothermal and tidal geography.
The report says we must radically change how we do things with regards to transport
On transport, authors argue that – as one of the UK’s most congested cities – Bristol “must radically change” how it does things.
It suggests looking to examples such as Manchester’s Made to Move initiative, which aims to quadruple cycling and make walking the natural choice for as many short journeys as possible.
“Reaching our climate target should be part of a wider move to make our city more equal and a better place to live,” states the report.
“Addressing our dangerous air pollution, our food and energy poverty, our failing transport systems and our draughty houses goes hand in hand with decreasing our carbon footprint.
“Decades of pathetic inaction has shown us that we can’t hang about and wait for our government to take the needed action on climate change – the stakes are just too high.”
Recognising the difficulties in accelerating the pace of change in the midst of government-imposed austerity, the Green councillors argue that it’s a challenge that we can and must rise to.
They also say the Government must be lobbied to take action on the issue.
Commenting on the report, Green Party mayoral candidate Sandy Hore-Ruthven said: “Becoming carbon neutral is a real opportunity not only to reduce our environmental impact but to create jobs, improve our transport and our homes.”
An implementation plan is due to be reported back to full council by mayor Marvin Rees by May 2019.
Read more: ‘We must eradicate single-use plastic from the fast food industry’
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