News / Bristol Green Capital Partnership
£2.5 million awarded to Bristol’s Community Climate Action Project
Bristol’s community-led climate action, pioneered by Bristol Green Capital Partnership, has received a £2.48 million grant from the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund.
The National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund aims to help communities and citizens address climate-related challenges on a national basis.
This recent investment will be directed towards reinforcing the role of communities and grassroots organisations in achieving the city’s climate plans.
is needed now More than ever
“We are delighted that this investment will enable Bristol’s diverse communities to turn their climate plans into action and empower more communities to lead climate action locally”, said Amy Harrison, head of Community Partnerships at Bristol Green Capital.
“During the pandemic, Bristol’s community organisations proved how crucial they are when a city needs to respond to a crisis. The climate crisis is no exception. Bristol needs its diverse and dynamic community organisations to be at the heart of the city’s systemic transition to net zero.”
The Lockleaze Community Trust seeks to encourage wildlife and support nature recovery in the area – photo: Lockleaze Community Trust
The award will support a three-year ongoing programme to expand the Bristol Community Climate Action project, which includes six community organisations in the city: ACH, Ambition Lawrence Weston, Bristol Disability Equalities Forum, Eastside Community Trust, Heart of BS13 and Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust.
Emma Geen of Bristol Disability Equalities Forum highlighted the importance of inclusion when taking climate action: “Disabled people are among those hit hardest by both the cost-of-living crisis and the climate crisis. Our repair hub for mobility equipment will be taking action on both. By including Disabled people from the start, climate action can improve our lives instead of creating new barriers.”
The first phase of the Bristol Community Action project included re-imagining neighbourhoods with unequally impacted communities – photo: Bristol Disability Equalities Forum
The community climate action projects will cover a wide range of issues such as a repair hub for mobility equipment to reduce waste to the rewinding of Lockleaze, which seeks to support biodiversity and recover green spaces:
“Really Wild Lockleaze will use 41 acres of grass verges and housing greens to create essential habitat for nature in the area. This will tackle the catastrophic decline of pollinators, respond to Bristol’s ecological emergency and mitigate the impact of new housing developments in Lockleaze,” said Suzzane Wilson from Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust.
Further plans for the investment involve establishing a new Community Leadership Panel on Climate and Just Transition, and a series of neighbourhood events and artist commissions to spark conversations around the city.
An official launch event will be taking place at MShed on September 8.
This piece of independent journalism is supported by NatWest and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership
Main photo: Ambition Lawrence Weston
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