Bristol’s Climate Action Programme celebrates landmark first year figures

Bristol businesses are showing a strong appetite for taking action on climate, with a large number  seeking support to help them make positive change. 

Bristol Green Capital Partnership’s Climate Action Programme, launched a year ago with support from Bristol City Council and NatWest Group, has received a high level of interest from organisations wanting to reduce their carbon emissions. 

The first year has seen free events held on a wide range of topics, including how to get started, digital footprint, transport and employee engagement, with over 400 people from more than 200 organisations attending the events live and even more viewing the recordings.

Alongside the events, 14 free resources have been created including in-depth guides on measuring and managing carbon emissions and creating an engaging climate action plan. There have been over 3,000 downloads of these resources, showing that Bristol organisations are serious about becoming more sustainable. Full details of the programme’s activities in the first year can be found in this report.

“Organisations are directly responsible for about half of the carbon emissions from Bristol, so them taking climate action is a vital part of the city reaching its 2030 targets. By offering free assistance to all Bristol organisations on their journey to Net Zero and helping them to overcome challenges collaboratively, the Climate Action Programme is directly supporting business action towards the One City Climate Strategy.” says Cllr Kye Dudd, Cabinet member for Climate, Ecology, Waste and Energy, Bristol City Council.

As part of the programme, 28 organisations have joined forces in the Climate Leaders Group. They all have ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2030 and a plan for reducing their emissions. The group, which includes Avon Fire & Rescue Service, Bristol Old Vic, SS Great Britain, and We The Curious, meet regularly to share best practice and identify solutions to common challenges. 

Jessica Ferrow and Nina Skubala, Co-Chairs of the Climate Leaders Group say “Collaboration is essential if we're going to reach our net zero targets, whether as a global society or as a city. The Bristol Climate Leaders group is a great example of how working together means we can do more than working alone. By sharing ideas, learnings and best practice we can help accelerate progress towards our shared climate goals over the coming years. As chairs, we really hope the group continues to grow, offering a place for support, advice and inspiration as we all face the huge 
challenge of rapid decarbonisation together.”

Matt Hatcher, Director of Commercial & Corporate Banking, West of England at NatWest Group, said: “The first 12 months of the Climate Action Programme have been hugely encouraging. This is testament to the commitment and appetite of businesses across the city and wider Bristol region to challenge climate change and make a positive impact upon the environment. This provides us with a huge beacon of hope and the level of support that will inspire other businesses in Bristol to follow in 
the footsteps of those already making a difference.

“As the UK’s biggest business bank we have a real responsibility to not just support businesses on their journeys to become greener, but educate and inspire those that aren’t considering change. That means taking the lead and setting the right examples, which is why we have made bold commitments to respond to the climate crisis in our own work as well as supporting organisations like Bristol Green Capital Partnership who are driving positive change.”

With so many organisations operating in Bristol, they have an essential role to play in meeting Bristol’s ambitious climate and nature targets. The Climate Action Programme offers free support and the opportunity to be part of a growing community of organisations taking on this challenge. 

Read the year one Climate Action Programme report, access the free resources, and find out if your organisation could become a Climate Leader on the Bristol Green Capital Partnership website.