In it for good BRISTOL EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL 2015 CITYWIDE REVIEW BRISTOL EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL 2015 CITYWIDE REVIEW CONTENTS 04 20 OUR JOURNEY INSPIRING CHANGE Welcome 04 Telling Our Story 22 Foreword 06 Our Opening Ceremony 26 Working Together 08 Raising Awareness 30 Our Plan 10 Our Poet in Residence 32 The Funding 12 Our Local Currency 32 Our Vision 14 Bristol 2015 Lab 34 Highlights 16 Do15 in 2015 36 University of Bristol 42 University of the West of England 44 Destination Bristol 45 46 86 124 LOCAL EMPOWERMENT SUSTAINABILITY IT DOESN'T STOP HERE LEADERSHIP & INTERNATIONAL PROFILE Grants Programme 48 Bristol Green Capital Our Closing Ceremony 126 Partnership 88 National Schools 'It doesn't stop here' Programme 58 Green Tech Festival 92 Campaign and Activity 128 The Views of the European Go Green 62 Solar Balloon 96 Commission 130 Volunteering Programme 64 Fog Bridge 98 Thanks, Credits and Neighbourhood Arts Council England Acknowledgements 134 Arts Programme 66 Exceptional Award 100 Bristol City Council Sanctum 102 Green Capital Projects 72 Time and Space 103 Museums Programme 78 Withdrawn 103 Life Raft 80 Metamorphosis 104 Cunae 81 The Bristol Whales 108 Bristol's Festivals 82 Festival of the Future City 112 The Bristol Method 114 Happy City Index 115 The Bristol Summit Series 116 International Programme 120 COP21 122 WELCOME TO BRISTOL 4 BRISTOL EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL 2015 CITYWIDE REVIEW 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 FOREWORD At the start of the year, we outlined three overarching objectives for our time as European Green Capital: to empower Bristolians; to build our international profile; and to demonstrate our sustainability leadership. I could give many examples to illustrate how we have achieved these objectives through education, science and technology, through art and music, in business and in the community; we did it in Bristol and at COP21 in Paris. There is no room here for such a detailed account. I invite you to read this review in order to obtain a much fuller picture. Instead of attempting a summary I want to recount one story that, for me, encapsulates the very essence of what we were trying to achieve and says a lot about Bristol’s journey towards sustainability, and our bright green future. Andrew Garrad I recently watched a collection of short films, one made for each of the 14 Neighbourhood Arts Programme Chair of Bristol 2015 Ltd projects (see pages 66-71). One of them features a girl, perhaps 12 years old, who was involved in the Dundry During 2015 I had a terrific Slopes project. That project encourages people to get out and explore this beautiful, relatively undiscovered opportunity to learn more landmark. The girl tells us how she went to help with the about what makes this city project while wearing her new Converse tracksuit. She great – from its hundreds got it muddy. At first, she was annoyed about the dirt, but then she realised that, while the mud would wash out, of grassroots projects, to the experience had given her memories that would last a its beautiful green spaces, lifetime. It brought a tear to my eye! to its world-class science, For me, this story symbolises three things. First, that real innovation and enterprise. progress requires real connections with real people – whether it is helping a young girl discover the pleasure of And I can say, without doubt, playing on a nearby hill, or enabling a social entrepreneur to connect with investors. that the people of Bristol should feel proud. Second, it says that change is always about action. From the countless volunteer hours given in support of Bristol’s year in the spotlight, to the thousands of people who pledged to make small, sustainable changes to their daily habits through our Do15 in 2015 campaign, I have seen time and again that Bristol people walk the talk. Finally, of course, it is a story about our future. Our world is facing serious challenges, and cities around the world just like Bristol are a vital part of the solution. As we move into 2016 and beyond, I ask all of you to think of the Dundry girl in her muddy tracksuit, and to remember why this journey to sustainability matters quite so much. 6 BRISTOL EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL 2015 CITYWIDE REVIEW 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 WORKING TOGETHER BRISTOL'S JOURNEY TO BECOME A EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL A collective, long-term commitment to creating sustainable communities European Green Capital Bristol’s aspiration to be a European The creation of the European Green Capital Green Capital was first set out in 2003 Award was the third critical ingredient is an annual Award that’s in the Bristol Community Strategy: “ of success. This enabled us to compare run by the European Bristol; a green capital in Europe – creating performance against other European cities, Commission.