Quicker action needed on climate, says council expert

Bristol City Council wants to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030

Bristol needs quicker action on climate according to a council expert who warns the city could miss its net zero targets.

The city council is aiming to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030, in a bid to tackle climate change.

City Leap, a deal between the council and two companies, will play a key role in hitting net zero including by expanding the heat network.

The council's sustainable city and climate change manager Alex Minshull said: "It needs the money, the national policy, the public engagement and democratic support for the measures needed to do it."

Councillors on the environment and sustainability policy committee were updated on the council’s climate plan on 25 July.

Bristol emitted 1.57 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2022, less than half of what the city emitted in 2006, according to government data.

Emissions from industry and businesses have fallen the most, while transport emissions have barely reduced over the same period.

City Leap aims to deliver at least £424m into low carbon energy infrastructure over the next five years.

Mr Minshull said: "The rate of progress does need to accelerate, not just in Bristol but across the UK if we’re to meet the statutory targets the government has got."

He added: "City Leap is a huge initiative that goes well beyond anything else that I’ve seen in the other core cities and the work they’re doing.

"The city council is doing a lot of heavy lifting to meet that goal.”

Mr Kent said he was aware the city "only has six years left" to reach the net zero target

A wide range of work is taking place across Bristol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including encouraging people to walk, cycle or take public transport instead of driving.

Additionally, a vast network of pipes is being laid for the district heat network; grants are being given to homeowners to replace gas boilers with heat pumps; and the installation of electric vehicle charging points.

But Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Kent said: “We saw that the lockdown only reduced carbon emissions by 20%, so we know there’s a substantial amount of work to do.

"If the 2030 goal is not hittable, then we should be honest about that now.

"I hope that we still can do that as a city, that’s what we committed to do. But that was six years ago, and I’m aware we only have six years left."