Green Capital backer worked for fracking firm

An engineering firm employed by the shale gas industry to help prepare for planning applications for fracking sites has been named as a new sponsor of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital 2015.

Arup has been selected as the ‘built environment for future cities’ sponsor but, as with previous sponsorship announcements, details of the deal have been kept secret on commercial confidentiality grounds, a spokesman for Bristol 2015 Ltd said.

Assistant mayor Gus Hoyt, who has campaigned against the fracking industry, insisted last night Bristol had to remain “frack free” and warned Arup against attempting to “buy green credentials”.

The sponsorship deal was confirmed at Pero’s bridge on the Harbourside, a structure opened in 1999 for which Arup was the consultant engineer.

Arup director Simon Power said the firm has promised to “engage, inspire and educate” and wanted to “enable Bristol to realise the legacy of being the 2015 European Green Capital”.

“We are truly honoured to have been selected to work on this fantastic initiative that we anticipate will be a huge success in 2015 and beyond,” he said. 

“Through our contribution and value in kind sponsorship we hope to not only build on existing relationships with the city, but with cities nationally and internationally. This will help Bristol as the European Green Capital to inspire others and deliver a lasting legacy. 

“We will make it our aim to contribute towards improving the environment, economy and quality of life in growing urban populations. 

“As someone born and brought up in the city, I am personally delighted to now be contributing to its future.”

But questions have already been raised about the suitability of the firm to be showcased by Bristol as a key sponsor.

Arup counts among its many clients shale gas company Cuadrilla, which it helped last year prepare Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for plans to frack in the Bowland Basin in Lancashire.

Its work included environment risk assessment, public and stakeholder consultation and planning application support.

Meanwhile, Power was in Cardiff earlier this month speaking about nuclear power’s role in the region’s energy generation industry.

Speaking to Bristol24/7, Green Party councillor and cabinet member Hoyt, said: “This is the first I have heard of this deal. I know Arup has been pro fracking in the past, and Bristol should be dedicated to being frack-free.

“I certainly hope that the company is not trying to buy green credentials and genuinely want to make Bristol a successful green capital.”

Last year, Cllr Hoyt said he was “against fracking on many levels”. 

“I don’t think it’s looking to the future at all. It’s another form of fossil fuel when we should be concentrating on renewable forms of energy,” he added.

“Fracking also poisons drinking water and so I am against fracking anywhere in the South West region, not just Bristol.”

Mayor George Ferguson has added his opposition to the practice, saying before a City Hall debate: “I have already made clear my opposition to fracking within the Bristol area.

“Bristol, as an urban area, is entirely unsuitable and my position on this issue has not changed.”

Picture: Left to right, Phil Wood, director of Arup Bristol; George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol; and Simon Power from Arup