Extra £500,000 for energy and carbon innovation
The Liberal Democrat administration at Bristol City Council is putting an extra £500,000 this year into work to cut the city’s carbon footprint and develop secure and sustainable local energy supplies.
Councillor Neil Harrison, Assistant Executive Member for Sustainability, says, “Late last year we pledged to cut Bristol’s carbon footprint by 40% by 2020 and to act to ensure that we have a reliable supply of sustainable energy once fossil fuels begin to decline. We’re now putting the money in to start this process - this should add up to at least £5m over the next ten years.”
The money will initially be allocated to :
- £100,000 extra for domestic energy efficiency measures for local householders, such as insulation and solar panels
- £90,000 for a Community Green Challenge Fund, enabling local community groups to access money for local projects, such as sustainable food production
- £75,000 to accelerate the programme of large-scale energy efficiency and energy production projects across the city, such as biomass boilers in schools, district heating systems and a local energy supply company
- £100,000 into planning for a more sustainable future, including supporting a first year emphasis on a showpiece eco-housing project and a significant increase in car club facilities
- £90,000 into extending the Green Capital initiative working with businesses and the wider community, promoting a sustainable and successful economy
- £45,000 towards live energy data displays in public buildings and homes to encourage sustainable behaviours and working practices.
Councillor Harrison continues, “We have gone for a range of short-term winners like home insulation and longer-term projects that we need to start now if they are to bear fruit five years down the line. They all fit in with our recently-published action plan on climate change and energy security.”
“Our objective is to rethink the way in which the city works. The groundbreaking Peak Oil that the Council published before Christmas made it clear that we have to plan for a future where fossil fuels are running low and energy prices rise sharply. This will doubtlessly happen in my lifetime and probably sooner rather than later. It is vital then that we act now to develop Bristol’s own energy production to protect us - it makes good financial sense, as well as environmental sense.”
“This agenda goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to cut carbon. Bristol already has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any city in the UK, but we still need to do more to do our bit to combat climate change. The Council is showing the leadership the city needs on this issue and we hope that residents, businesses and community organisations will join us.”
Notes for editors :
1. Councillor Harrison can be contacted for further comment on 07720 718037.
2. The Climate Change and Energy Security Framework will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 25th February. This sets out 20 long-term strategic activities and 40 specific actions for the coming year.
3. The £500,000 budget uplift will be formally proposed at the Full Council meeting on 23rd February.