Green spotlight still shining in Bristol

Clifton Suspension Bridge – Photo Jim Cossey

Sustainable legacy is set to continue writes Wendy Johnston

The global green spotlight was firmly on Bristol in 2015 during its year as European Green Capital – the first ever UK city to win the title. But, even though the city hands the title to Ljubljana in Slovenia on 9 February, the legacy of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital will continue.

The prestigious status succeeded in giving Bristol worldwide recognition as a leading environmental city.  George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, said: "It’s impossible to overestimate the benefit that our year as European Green Capital has brought to Bristol.

 "We are now seen as a leader among environmental cities, with the potential and commitment to do so much more and encourage others to join us in the process. That achievement is thanks to our Green Capital Partnership and all of the Bristol communities who have embraced our journey so far and worked together with the City Council and Bristol 2015 to make bold steps to face the challenges ahead."

 Wide-reaching projects included an education programme which has already encouraged over 14,000 primary pupils from 74 Bristol schools to take forward the Green Capital baton.

In addition, over 10,000 people have engaged with 14 green art projects through the Neighbourhood Arts Programme; around 1,000 businesses got involved with Go Green – a scheme guiding them to a sustainable future; and students from the city’s universities are on track to complete 100,000 hours of volunteering for Green Capital.

 European Green Capital status also helped Bristol to attract numerous international green living and sustainability conferences, including the Fair Trade Towns conference and the 52nd International Making Cities Liveable conference, inspiring people from all over the world to embrace sustainable living.

 And green visitor opportunities abound…

Bristol was declared a Fairtrade City in 2005 and has since become one of the most successful Fairtrade cities in the world. Flying the flag for independent shops is Gloucester Road – reputedly Europe’s longest street of independent shops – and St Nicholas Market  in the Old City, which is home to the largest collection of independent retailers in the city and has been named among the 10 best markets in the UK.

Underpinning the independent shopping scene is the Bristol Pound , introduced in 2012. It is accepted at a growing number of outlets around the city and encourages people to spend their money at local, independent businesses that use local produce.

Many of Bristol’s places to stay have achieved Green Tourism awards- the most established sustainable grading programme in the World.

Radisson Blu and Mercure Bristol Holland House hotel are both centrally located and hold Green Gold awards. The Greenhouse B&B in Southville is also a Gold award winner and owner Fran uses organic, Fairtrade and local foods for breakfast, provides organic towels, bedding and toiletries, has bicycle storage and even lends her two electric bicycles to guests. In October 2013, solar panels were fitted on the roof of The Greenhouse to help provide a sustainable energy source for the B&B.

Bristol’s food scene is renowned, with locally- and sustainably-sourced ingredients at the heart of menus throughout the city. Source café and food hall  in St Nicholas Market is one of the best independent food retailers in Bristol and offers strictly seasonal food. A more formal dining experience can be had at Bordeaux Quay  – an award-winning restaurant and cookery school on the Harbourside using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. It was the UK’s first eco-restaurant to achieve a gold rating under the Soil Association’s sustainable catering scheme.

Home to Sustrans, Bristol has a rich cycling heritage and was named as England’s first cycling city back in 2008. Hopping on a bike is one of the best ways to explore the city like a local. Anyone who arrives here without two wheels can hire a bike at Cycle the City or a bicycle made for two at Bristol Tandem Hire.

Known as a ‘festival city’ Bristol hosts a lively programme of events throughout the year. Those that focus on green and sustainable living include Bristol Food Connections in May, BIG Green Week  and Bristol Festival of Nature  in June, Bristol Cycle Festival in July, Bristol Green Doors in September and Wildscreen  – held every two years in October.

And it’s only a start!

Wendy Johnson