‘Bristol’s cabinet has a chance to show that green and red can go together’

As a researcher of climate justice and a former Bristol City Council’s employee, I was baffled by the recent decision to contract British Gas as the council’s energy provider. We live in a reality where environmental policies are not just the privilege of the middle class, they’re a necessity for all.

The UK signed the Climate Change Act back in 2008, followed by the council’s own carbon management framework in 2015 and the pretty much world-wide Paris Agreement in 2016 (albeit without one ’empire’ ruled by an orange-skinned president by the time we get to 2020). All three documents commit to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, in order to keep global temperature rise to the within a maximum of two degrees centigrade, as recommended by the global scientific community. And since we’re now recording the highest ever levels of environmental concern (three quarters of the public are worried!), individuals are starting to take action, be it sustainable commuting or recycling food waste.

Meanwhile, the role of cities is to champion pro-environmental attitudes and demonstrate that going green doesn’t have to be the expensive option. If done well, it can save money. Tackling fuel poverty, for example, is the case of fair tariffs, efficient buildings and behavioural change.

Back in 2015 Bristol won the title of EU Green Capital. A year later the council set a municipally-owned energy company with profits going towards improving social equality. The main slogans of the Green Capital year was ‘It doesn’t stop here’. Although over 800 members of the partnership and dozens more independent organisations have worked tirelessly to improve the city, Bristol’s latest cabinet has demonstrated little initiative in terms of environmental policies.

Looking at the reality of power in politics, it is no surprise that the current cabinet works against the Green Capital legacy. Some of the flagship policies of the previous mayor, George Ferguson, were wildly unpopular, with complains mounting against funding procedures, MetroBus routes, speed limit reductions to 20mph and Residents’ Parking Zones.

In the loud noise of public opinion, it is hard to differentiate between claims and evidence, hence current mayor Marvin Rees’ decision to review the past policies. This is understandable. However, it is difficult to resist the view that we need further actions and new ideas.

Contracting an energy supplier that is a force for social justice and environmental good could be this exact opportunity: a positive story about the council championing forward thinking rather than locking its citizens into a long-term contract with a bunch of old fossils.

As far as I am aware, the Labour Party stands against fuel poverty and corporatism; it is even sympathetic to the idea of climate action. Therefore, Bristol’s Labour cabinet shouldn’t turn its back on the environmental agenda only to dissociate itself from the previous mayor. This would be a cheap PR trick.

Instead, Labour (and whoever will be in power in the future) has a chance to show that green and red can and should go together. Energy procurement, public transport, building efficiency – these are the issues central for improving the lives of the poorest and keeping to the climate commitments. They are also, at least to some extent, within the control of the local governments. Hence my plea to Bristol City Council – live up to your potential and end collaboration with British Gas.

Ola Michalec is a postgraduate climate justice researcher in the faculty of environment and technology within UWE Bristol’s department of geography and environmental management