We take long term sustainable economic growth very seriously. The target of reaching an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 is a major challenge for all but is also an opportunity for business. We will remain at the heart of the debate, asking difficult questions, but also offering creative solutions and inspiring the private, public and voluntary sectors to work together.
Bristol European Green Capital 2015
Bristol has been awarded the European Green Capital for 2015. The Initiative helped support Bristol’s bid for the European Commission’s award and plays an active part in the organisation of Bristol Green Capital as one of the lead partners. The Initiative also has one of its team, Nina Skubala, as Vice Chair for the Bristol Green Capital Partnership. We are primarily tasked with engaging the wider business community and small and medium-sized enterprises with the creation of a low carbon and sustainable city.
As one of the activities we are supporting for the year and for the longer term we have, with Low Carbon South West, set up Go Green, a programme to help all sizes of businesses understand and implement sustainable measures.
Guardian Big Energy Debate
Security of the UK’s energy supply has become a defining issue for politicians, the business community and voters. That insecurity has been brought about by the threat of increased gas prices from Russia, at a time when European renewable energy targets and a dysfunctional power supply pose their own challenges.
To better understand how some of these challenges can be met, the Initiative hosted a roundtable discussion with the Guardian and industry experts as part of the #bigenergydebate
Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station
Nuclear power is a critical part of the UK’s future energy infrastructure mix. The Initiative has been in support of the £16bn nuclear power station construction at Hinkley which could create 25,000 jobs, and was delighted to hear that the UK’s first new nuclear power plant in decades has been given the go ahead for Hinkley Point. The Nuclear power station is a massive economic boost for Bristol and the South West and will help ensure our businesses have access to secure sources of energy in the years ahead.
Find out more about Nuclear South West and how to join the network.
Business Green Week
Having run internal engagement schemes, Business West and Stride Treglown collaborated with Low Carbon South West to share experiences, present ideas and help other businesses use Big Green Week to engage employees in sustainability. Big Green Week is the UK’s international festival of environmental ideas, art and culture. It was enjoyed by over 50,000 people in 2014, with more than 120 events in 9 days. The result? A free, downloadable pack full of inspiration, ideas and resources for others to run their own Green Week, which has been used by over 30 businesses including GENeco, The Landmark Practice and Harmsen Tilney Shane.
Learn more about the two centuries that have passed since the Bristol-based Chamber of Commerce was founded.
