SDG 13: Climate action

What does the data show?

Though Bristol citizens’ concern about climate change fell 13% between 2019 and 2021 likely as a result of other competing worries, the past three years have seen some important environmental improvements in the city.

While data for per capita emissions in Bristol are only available until 2019, they show a reduction of 31.2%. This is reflected in the city’s data for total CO2 emissions, which show a reduction of 100 tonnes from 2018 to 2020 and a 35% decrease since 2010.

What Bristol is doing

Bristol has long been known for its history of climate action. It was the first city to declare a climate emergency and has been building on this momentum to cut the city’s carbon emissions.

SDG 13: Climate action

Bristol has witnessed important environmental improvements over the past three years, reflected in a 35% decrease in C02 emissions since 2010.

In October 2021, Bristol launched new Climate Action branding, a climate hub and a Climate Ask that encourages organisations and individuals to share their stories, understand what they can do to contribute to Bristol’s net-zero by 2030 ambition, and make their own net-zero commitments.

Racial and ethnic diversity within the movement

There has been continued awareness of the lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the environmental movement across the UK and particularly in Bristol.

The Black & Green Ambassadors programme, created in a partnership between Ujima Radio, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and the University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute, aims to empower people of colour in Bristol into the environmental sector and hopes to develop more diverse leadership in the climate movement.

Carbon neutrality goal

Bristol Green Capital Partnership has also developed the Climate Leaders Group, a network of organisations that have committed to carbon neutrality by 2030. The Group aims to provide opportunities for organisations to learn from each other and share best practice.

The University of Bristol’s involvement

The University of Bristol has been deeply involved in the climate movement since Bristol City Council declared a climate emergency in 2018, closely followed by a similar announcement from the University itself and a number of other partners in 2019. Prior to this pledge, the University announced it would divest from all investments in fossil fuel corporations – a promise that was delivered by early 2020 – and set up Climate Action Bristol, utilising student skills and volunteering to help organisations enact their climate action plans.