Bristol was the first city, not just in the UK but in the whole of Europe, to declare a climate emergency and pledged to make the city Carbon Neutral by 2030.
However, many similar pledges from many cities, corporations and governments seem to have taken a backseat. And Bristol, the largest city in West England, is no different.
Plans to invest in companies that rely on fossil fuels continue. A West England Underground system with Bristol at its centre is still being considered. A plan to introduce a Clean Air Zone in the city centre has been delayed once again.
It doesn’t help that the Mayor, Marvin Rees, recently drew up a ‘cabinet’ without any Green representation on it, like he had done in his previous term. This is despite the fact the Green Party of Bristol won 24 seats on the council in the most recent local election, the same number as the Mayor’s Labour Party.
I catch up with Tom Hathway, a Green Councillor for Clifton Down Ward, to see what the recent success by the Green Party in the local elections could mean for that 2030 target. Is it an achievable goal or is not enough is being done to prevent a climate disaster happening?
