The city of Bristol has been named the European Green Capital of 2015. It’s the first city in the UK to win the award, which promotes and rewards the environmental efforts of cities in Europe.
Representing the largest of any environmental policy challenge, cities are accountable for 67% of the world’s total energy consumption and over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. When partnered with ever-increasing population figures, these stats show the urgency for us to all adopt new ways of working and living to shape a sustainable future. Cities are home to half of the world’s population today, with this figure set to increase to 75% by 2050. To cope with continued growth, we will need to invent new ways to manage cities and make them more effective.
European Green Capital Award Criteria
Since its conception in 2010 the European Green Capital Award has been given to one city every year that:
- Demonstrates a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards;
- Is committed to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development;
- Can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices to all other European cities.
Previous winners include: Stockholm (2010), Hamburg (2011), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Nantes (2013) and Copenhagen (2014).
Bristol’s efforts
Bristol’s population has grown by 10% in the last 10 years, with the value of its economy reaping a 40% uplift. An innovative energy strategy by Bristol City Council and grassroots and community action has seen a 28% reduction in municipal C02 commissions. The results show that local homes have also become 25% more energy efficient.
Bristol invested £140m in their energy investment programme and over £400m in transport infrastructure – resulting in cleaner air and improved travel patterns. The project has also seen the number of cyclists in the city double.
The award will give Bristol the opportunity to:
- Share their knowledge and achievements with other cities around the word
- Be a test-bed for innovative environmental initiatives in order to develop pioneering practices to be extended to other cities
- Instil on-going changes to reach 2020 targets
Big Green Week
Bristol’s plan to deliver a green capital city will be spurred by a range of exciting initiatives taking place in the city over the next year. The festivities kick off with Big Green Week from June 14.
This city-wide festival has over 150 events – over half of which are free! It brings together residents and visitors, ideas and practices with the aim of inspiring and educating on the importance of green living. The event is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors to the city and will offer family entertainment, talks, workshops, art, music, poetry, comedy and films. You can get a head start on the festivities by joining the smart living revolution.
Whether you’re based in Bristol or not, you could use energy more efficiently and spend less money by comparing energy rates for your home. Make sure you’re using energy efficiently by making small lifestyle changes which can have a big impact when it comes to creating more sustainable cities.
Sam Travers is an eco-warrior of sorts. He works for a green charity and blogs regularly with help and advice for those looking to make the planet a better place.
Featured images: License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Clifton.bridge.arp.750pix.jpg
Marty Huggins
