Bristol24/7 to hire dedicated Climate and Sustainability Editor

Amid the increasingly urgent need to combat climate change, Bristol24/7 is taking a big step to ensure environmental issues are consistently top of the agenda.

We are set to hire a dedicated Climate and Sustainability Editor – the first local media organisation to do so as far as we know – to engage conversation, inspire people to take action, hold authorities and companies to account and report on the positive work already ongoing in the city.

Bristol is already leading the way in many ways, as the first council in the UK to declare a climate emergency and pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The city went on to declare an ecological emergency in 2020 in recognition of the “unprecedented and escalating” threat to wildlife but there is still frustration at the pace of change.

We believe the biggest way we, as a media organisation, can have an impact is by creating this dedicated role to ensure environmental issues are front and centre of our coverage.

We recognise the climate crisis can only be tackled with an inclusive approach that doesn’t leave anyone behind and will seek to reflect this in our coverage and work with people in the city to shine a light on the projects that are making a difference while reporting on the facts of the climate crisis.

Bristol24/7 is taking a big step to ensure environmental issues are consistently top of the agenda – photo: Rob Browne

Bristol24/7 Managing Director Ben Wright said: “We’ve done a lot of thinking about how we can make the biggest difference in addressing this huge and global challenge on a local level.

“We decided that keeping the climate and the environment at the forefront of city conversations and inspiring individuals, businesses and the government to take meaningful actions on a local level will be vital to hitting the challenging targets we’ve set as a city.

“As a local independent media organisation with a large and engaged audience, we feel we are in a great position to do this. With the support of our members and key partners and now with the additional funding we have received from NatWest, we are delighted to now be able to recruit for the role that we believe can help make this happen.”

How will the role be funded?

Our independent journalism, as well as our social and environmental impact work, is supported by our public members, Better Business members and key partners. We have secured further funding of £5,000 from NatWest to pay for the part-time Climate and Sustainability Editor role for the initial six months.

While NatWest will be sponsoring the role, the company will have no say over the content that is covered or how it is covered, and our journalism will remain independent as it always has been.

NatWest has chosen to fund the role as part of their own work on environmental commitments. The company has a hub in Bristol and has joined Bristol24/7’s Better Business membership, a network of companies that work collaboratively to have a positive impact in the city and its communities.

Paul Edwards, chair of the NatWest South West board, said: “Tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time and the urgency for action has never been greater than now. As one of the UK’s biggest banks and the largest lender to business, we have both the ability and the responsibility to take a leading role in that fight.

“We want to deliver real change – from helping families to purchase energy-efficient homes to supporting businesses and projects that create jobs and speed up the UK’s transition to net zero. To do this, we will support our customers throughout the South West to take advantage of the significant opportunities that the transition to net zero will bring.

“Education is crucial to empowering people to make the right choices and that is why NatWest felt it was important to support the appointment of a Climate and Sustainability Editor at Bristol24/7. The title is a trusted news resource throughout the city and wider Avon area and respected for its honesty and integrity on the issues affecting the region.

“Climate change is one of these issues and, through this appointment, Bristol24/7 will be able to educate and inform people and businesses so they can make the right decisions to drive positive change.”

What the role will entail

We are initially recruiting for a part-time Climate and Sustainability Editor who will work on regular news articles, as well as in-depth features, podcast interviews, events and videos.

The aim is to keep people informed of what’s going on in the city, and beyond, connect individuals, organisations and businesses, hold institutions to account, give practical advice and drive forward Bristol’s ambition to be net zero by 2030.

Recruitment for the role will start immediately.

Anyone interested in applying for the role or finding out more information can email jobs@bristol247.com. 

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Bristol24/7 is looking for a Climate and Sustainability Editor 

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