Bristol's Green Party says there is still work to be done to combat climate change
It has been five years since the city declared a climate emergency
Bristol's Green Party says there is still work to be done to battle climate change, five years after the city declared a climate emergency.
Bristol was the first in Europe to do so, in response to a request put forward by the city's green council members.
The UK's councils' achievement of reaching Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions is measured and compared using Climate Action Scorecards.
“In the last few years, we have seen dramatically improved climate action across the city,” says Cllr Katy Grant, Co-Shadow Cabinet member for climate and ecology.
In a list of 182 single-tier councils, Bristol is tied for seventh position.
According to Greens, this is a cause for celebration and a reason to be proud of this city.
However, the Greens say the scorecards show that there’s always room for improvement, adding Bristol City Council should continue to focus on improving Bristol’s transport in particular.
After May 2024 the Bristol Green Party are likely to lead city’s council.
“Bristol’s Green Councillor group intend to get working on transport climate action,” said Cllr Carla Denyer.
“Improved routes for walking and cycling and bus franchising, safer streets around schools, and much faster rollout of electric car charging points.”
It doesn’t stop there; Bristol also needs to do more on planning and land use the Greens say.
Cllr Carla Denyer continues: “Greens working hard to ensure the new Local Plan contains higher standards for addressing embodied carbon and sustainable energy use in new buildings.”
The Greens also point out that Bristol's biodiversity ranking remains low.
The group says a Green-led City Council will focus on developing our local green economy, technological skills, and a regular, well-connected public transport network.