‘Bristol can’t be truly sustainable while persistent social inequalities exist’

Some progress is being made in tackling carbon emissions but social inequalities are still rife in Bristol, according to a new report.

The review of the city’s work towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlights the importance of reducing our collective impact on the planet while tackling poverty and addressing entrenched disparities.

Led by the Cabot Institute for the Environment and Bristol City Council, the document showcases mixed results, highlighting some of the advances made in terms of renewable energy generation, contrasted by growing inequalities in employment, housing and poverty.

Among other figures, the report showcases a decrease in CO2 emissions in the city by 29 per cent between 2015 and 2021.

What are the SDGs and why should we care about them?

According to the report, the SDGs: “Provide a common framework and language for global action, while allowing space for places and leaders to nuance activity to fit ‘local needs’ and opportunities.”

In other words, they help with the goal-setting process while measuring these achievements comprehensively and globally.

Could the reduction in CO2 emissions have been a result of the mobility restrictions derived from lockdowns during the Covid-19 outbreak?

According to Sean Fox, a member of the Cabot Institute and researcher involved in the production of this report, “the mobility restrictions led to a dip in emissions, particularly in the transport sector, but overall emissions reductions are part of a longer-term trend in the UK.

Dr Fox said that between 2005 and 2018, per capita emissions in Bristol were falling.

Fox remarked that we shouldn’t be guided by figures alone as they don’t tell the whole story, saying: “For example, they don’t account for the energy and emissions associated with the goods that we purchase from abroad.

“In other words, we are responsible for more emissions globally than these local estimates suggest.

“So, while the drop in our direct emissions is to be celebrated, we also need to consider how to reduce consumption and waste to reduce our global carbon footprint as a city.”

Some of the evaluated progress shows a different set of initiatives, coming both from public and private individuals, groups and communities. How are these coordinating their efforts?

Fox told Bristol24/7: “Coordination is a perennial challenge. It takes time, money, and some dedicated coordination effort to join these efforts up in the most impactful way – something we highlight in the report.”

Nonetheless, according to Fox, some improvements have taken place, including initiatives such as the Bristol Green Capital Partnership, the City Office Bristol City Funds, Feeding Bristol and many more.

Fox said: “And these seem to be paying off. Over the last few years, especially during the pandemic, we’ve seen the organic system of coordination between organisations with similar objectives evolve and amplify impact.”

As the SDG comprises a set of different dimensions, including social and economic, the Cabot Institute found some of the steepest challenges that Bristol has yet to face.

Fox told Bristol24/7: “We have persistent disparities in health, income, wellbeing, accessibility. We simply can’t call ourselves a truly sustainable city unless we make it possible for everyone to have the opportunity to live healthy, environmentally sustainable lives.”

Among these well-known disparities are the housing costs which, according to the report, are “placing a greater strain on people’s finances, particularly families”.

In terms of affordable and clean energy, the report shows an overall improvement across the city, taking into account that the total electricity consumption has declined, while still being lower than the national average.

In parallel, the push for renewable energy has bloomed in an increase of more MWh being generated across Bristol.

The report concludes with a chapter about “challenges and opportunities for local action,” listing factors such as an unstable fiscal context and, data deficits. More importantly, it also highlights the power of “partnership coordinators”.

This piece of independent journalism is supported by NatWest and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership

Main photo: Bristol City Council 

Read next:

• Sustainability read of the month: ‘Hope in Hell’ makes justice to its title
• ‘How can we reach net zero when our public transport system is in shambles?’ 
• Bristol24/7: Our sustainability statement
• Tackling the big questions climate change poses 

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