Climate crisis partnership launched in Bristol
A new partnership between Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership’s Climate Action Programme has kicked off.
The partnership, which will see businesses receiving bespoke and specially tailored resources and advice, is the latest in Bristol’s extensive efforts to tackle the climate crisis and to help educate and support businesses who want to take steps towards a more sustainable future.
Throughout the upcoming BID term, the partnership aims to provide levy payers in the city centre with information and tools, whatever their starting point, to enable them to take climate action and foster a sense of community in the local area.
The Partnership’s Climate Action Programme was launched in April 2021, supported by NatWest Group and Bristol City Council, to help organisations across Bristol and the wider region to reduce their carbon emissions, as part of Bristol’s continuous efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
More than 50 representatives of levy-paying businesses within the Bristol City Centre BID area recently attended a launch event at real estate pioneers, JLL on Great George Street, where talks were given on sustainability by industry experts. Tom Swithinbank, Project Manager at Bristol City Centre BID, shared with attendees the ambitious work the BID is doing to make the city centre a greener, more environmentally-conscious place to live, work in and enjoy.
Since the event, 15 meetings have been arranged within the Bristol city centre business community to begin implementation of the resources and guidance available to them through the partnership.
On Wednesday 24th April, a Climate Action Breakfast is taking place at The Foundation, offering guidance on how to create a climate action plan. The free event is open city-wide for businesses to come along and find out more about the practical steps they can take to get started on their sustainability journey.
Tom Swithinbank, Project Manager at Bristol City Centre BID, said: “Having the opportunity to bring businesses together to work towards a mutual goal of enhancing sustainability is a really important first step for us in this partnership. We know how important the topic is to so many of our businesses, so it’s great to have begun this journey with them.”
Bex Shreeve, Engagement Officer at Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, said: “We want businesses to know that support is available to them and that they’re not alone in trying to make positive changes to their behaviour. We look forward to seeing how we can nurture businesses in the centre of Bristol with our free practical support and resources.”
Amanda Skeldon, Director of Climate and Nature at JLL, said: “It’s no secret that change is crucial for businesses to be able achieve their climate ambitions. As members of the Climate Leaders Group, we appreciated the opportunity to reflect on our own climate action plan and to hopefully have inspired others to take action now that they know how possible it is.”
