Bristol – Laboratory for Change
Bristol is the UK’s first European Green Capital – an inspired choice, not only for its green spaces and easy access to the countryside, but for its enthusiasm for all things sustainable. Bristol is a city with one foot in the countryside. Acres of hilly allotments slope into wildlife corridors and riverside cycle paths. It’s big on slow food, urban farmers’ markets, city farms and free-range thinking (think street art, independent shops, an independent mayor, and a local currency – the Bristol Pound is now widely accepted).
Bristol is located in South West England and has a population of 441,300 (2011). It is England’s sixth and the United Kingdom’s eighth most populous city. Bristol impressed the Jury with its investment plans for transport and energy. The city has committed a budget of €500m for transport improvements by 2015 and up to €300m for energy efficiency and renewable energy by 2020 (this includes a confirmed €100m ELENA investment in renewable energy).
Carbon emissions have consistently reduced in Bristol since 2005, despite a growing economy. In the last 10 years Bristol City’s population has grown by 10% and the value of its economy has grown by 40%. Bristol has the ambition of becoming a European hub for lowcarbon industry with a target of 17,000 new jobs in creative, digital and low carbon sectors by 2030.
Bristol has great potential to act as a role model for UK, Europe and the world. Bristol’s tag line “Laboratory for Change” is based on innovation, learning and leadership. The Jury concluded that Bristol shows a high level of achievement across the board. Bristol is an innovator in terms of the green economy, with a powerful communication strategy and the commitment and enthusiasm required to develop its role as a model for Europe.
Bristol has implemented a long term commitment to improving the environment in the city and has been working to reduce the city’s contribution to climate change since 2000 and it has developed and delivered a series of strategies and action plans in order to achieve this, such as the Bristol Climate Protection and Sustainable Energy Strategy and the Local Transport Plan to 2026, and active participation with citizens noise perception in the Quality of Life Survey.
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The article prepared on the basis of the materials of Bristol City Council