Page 9 - Bristol 2015_Annual Review_HYPERLINK_SCREEN (1)

George Ferguson CBE Liz Zeidler
Mayor of Bristol Elected Chair of Bristol Green
Capital Partnership 2014 – 15
I am immensely proud that the achievements After two years as Chair of Bristol Green Capital
of so many Bristol people and organisations Partnership (BGCP), I want to say thank you to all
were recognised by the European Commission of the Partnership’s members. Our diverse and
through the award of European Green Capital active membership helped us win the award, and
2015. This special year presented great your value to Bristol is immeasurable.
opportunities for us as a city and the results
were outstanding. Our year as European Green Capital has helped
increase the size, scope and ambition of
I was determined we involve many more people, BGCP. We have grown from a loose network
including our children, in helping to make Bristol of passionate organisations and individuals,
a happier, healthier city for all. A huge thanks to become the largest cross-sector green city
to the thousands of people and organisations partnership in the world. That reach is starting to
who have taken part, boosting existing projects, reap rewards for organisations across the city, in
starting new initiatives and contributing great terms of greater collaboration, greater collective
ideas for the future. resources and greater strategic influence to make
the scale of changes that we all know lie ahead
It also gave us an opportunity to put Bristol on on the long road to sustainability.
the map internationally, creating the conditions
for future investment in the city. We achieved that The BGCP is here to help lead that journey.
spectacularly and must now work to secure that During 2015, we developed a strong and
investment for Bristol and the city region. sustainable model for our ongoing work, which
can combine thought leadership with grassroots
The award also presented challenges and Bristol action, leverage and influence with practical
has risen to the challenge, coming together, support. We are looking forward to supporting
sharing ideas, resources and expertise in an many of the changes we all want to see in the
unprecedented way. This collaboration gives us city and the world.
a strength and resilience which we will benefit
from for years to come. Our new approach will allow all our members
to work more collaboratively and strategically,
We started our year as the UK’s greenest city. and to enable resources to be brought to the city
We’ve finished the year internationally recognised for bold projects to be delivered in partnership.
as one of the greenest cities in Europe and with And I, for one, am very excited.
clear political consensus to become a resilient,
carbon neutral city. Perhaps most importantly
we’ve done all of this with a sense of fun and,
I believe, developed a growing sense of optimism
for the future.

OUR JOURNEY 7