Page 7 - Bristol 2015_Annual Review_HYPERLINK_SCREEN (1)

Bristol’s much more than a city.
It’s a diverse community with
a pioneering spirit where great
things are happening.

What you will find in the pages that follow is
the story of our journey to turn a collective
vision – to become a global leader in
sustainable urban living – into reality. It’s a
journey that officially began in 2003 – but,
of course, it actually started long before.

As a city we were able to build on 40 years
of pioneering environmental efforts, led by
committed and energetic forward-thinking
individuals and organisations that we are
proud have made Bristol their home.

We became the UK's first European Green
Capital because of all the little things, and
the really big things, we do to make Bristol
a healthier, happier place to live and work
in. The judges observed that Bristol is a
great example of what cities can be now,
and in the future. It’s a place where people
care enough to make things better.

We knew that during 2015 our ideas
and achievements would be in the
world’s spotlight. We wanted to use this
opportunity to demonstrate what’s
possible when people come together
to make a city a better place – because
we’re all in it together.

We took this strong Bristol message – from
our young people, our business leaders and
our fellow European city leaders – to the
UN Climate Change Conference (COP21),
held in Paris in December 2015.

Co-hosting the Cities and Regions Pavilion
alongside the city of Paris, gave cities a
real voice and showcased the vital role
they play in tackling climate change at a
local level.

The commitment made by nearly 200
nations to reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions as a result of COP21 is a step
in the right direction, as is Bristol’s own
cross-party political commitment to
become a carbon neutral city by 2050.

For Bristol, and cities that we seek to inspire
– the journey doesn’t stop here.

OUR JOURNEY 5