BACCC seeking new members

The Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change (BACCC) is seeking new members as part of a member refresh.

BACCC is an independent committee that provides advice on the climate crisis to Bristol City Council, the Bristol One City Boards and other key city stakeholders and assesses progress towards the city’s climate goals.

Its members have wide ranging skills, experience and knowledge related to the climate crisis. Together they aim to support Bristol’s progress in achieving net zero by 2030 and adapting to climate change in an effective, inclusive, and just manner.

The BACCC is seeking at least five new members for the committee with skills, experience and knowledge that can contribute to BACCC’s purpose. This could include:

  • Expertise on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapt to climate change at the city level;
  • Knowledge and experience of the impact of the climate crisis on Bristol and its communities;
  • Expertise on climate vulnerabilities and building community resilience to climate impacts;
  • Experience with policy, system and/or behaviour change;
  • Public engagement and/or communications expertise;
  • Knowledge around climate justice, just transition and lived experience of climate impacts.

Time Commitment: BACCC meets for around two hours once a month and currently holds both in-person (central Bristol) and online meetings, with a mix of morning or afternoon meetings and dates sent out well in advance. Members are expected to attend meetings regularly, plus contribute to working groups, the development of reports and statements, and/or act as a rep to a One City Board. This amounts to roughly 5 hours per month.

Financial remuneration: Financial remuneration for time, support and mentoring can be made available for successful candidates who feel that otherwise they would not be able to play a full and active role in the BACCC’s work (on a case-by-case basis).

Membership and diversity: BACCC would like to increase the diversity of its membership and encourages applications from people from, and/or with knowledge or experience of groups currently under-represented, including black and minority ethnic communities; Disabled people; and young people (aged 18 – 24).

How to apply

Find more information about BACCC and the role of members see here.

To express interest, please send us:

  • An outline of how your experience, skills and knowledge can contribute to BACCC’s purpose in a maximum of 300 words (short video applications also possible).
  • An optional equalities monitoring form. Download the form in Microsoft Word.

These should be sent to ceilidh@bristolgreencapital.org with the subject line “BACCC application” by end of day Sunday 6 November.

If you have any queries about the role, please email claire@bristolgreencapital.org.

BACCC statement on extreme heat in the UK, July 2022

Bristol is experiencing unprecedented levels of heat with temperature records in parts of the UK likely to be broken over the coming days. Dangerously high temperatures are a consequence of climate change and will occur more frequently in the future.

The extreme heat impacts on health, infrastructure, food, water and ecosystems, and causes disruption to lives and livelihoods. These impacts will be felt by everyone but are not felt equally – with heatwaves more likely to affect homeless people, those living in low-quality housing, the elderly, Disabled people and frontline workers. Whilst many can stay at home this week, others must work in the heat.

We must redouble our efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and protect nature, whilst giving urgent attention to adapting homes, offices and infrastructure to be cooler and more resilient in our new climate reality.

Please note: This statement has not necessarily been endorsed by all Committee members or, where applicable, their host organisations.

More information on climate actions you can take: https://www.bristolclimatehub.org/  

Advice on managing extreme heat: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather  

BACCC Launches Annual Report on Year Two

The Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change (BACCC) has published its Annual Report on Year Two, a review of the second year since its formation.

The report gives an overview of its activities in 2021, progress made towards set priorities, an analysis of impact and reflections on progress made towards Bristol’s carbon neutral and climate resilience target.

BACCC has identified the following priorities for the year ahead:

  • To understand and influence key national developments and their implications for Bristol, identifying opportunities and challenges for Bristol’s 2030 ambition, working closely with key local, national and international agencies.
  • To increase the focus within Bristol on climate risk and adaptation needs.
  • To monitor progress of delivery of the One City Climate Strategy.
  • To support local Climate Emergency communication and engagement activity.
  • To increase the focus on a just transition to all One City Boards and Bristol City Council, and as part of the One City Climate Strategy planning processes.

The BACCC’s Annual Report on Year Two is now available here.

Cover image of BACCC annual report year two

Liveable and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: Rapid Assessment

In response to a request from Bristol One City stakeholders, the Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change (BACCC) has worked quickly to produce a Rapid Assessment on Liveable and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. This assessment gathers and identifies the quality of case studies and evidence and presents recommendations to improve the success of potential schemes. To contact the committee for further information, or to discuss this briefing, please contact contact@bristolgreencapital.org.

BEIS Energy White Paper and Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution: Rapid assessment of the opportunities

The Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change has worked quickly to produce a Rapid Assessment of the Opportunities presented by the BEIS Energy White Paper and the UK Government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. This Rapid Assessment aims to brief key stakeholders on the funding and other opportunities available to support Bristol’s green recovery and achievement of the One City Climate Strategy and, in sharing this, the Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change (BACCC) hopes to boost readiness and support key stakeholders to respond to the forthcoming opportunities presented by this Plan and White Paper.

Bristol holds it’s first Citizens Assembly

Bristol’s first citizen’s assembly, which will see a group of residents help shape the city’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, will take place this weekend.

The citizens’ assembly will give members of the public the time and opportunity to learn about and discuss a topic, before reaching conclusions and then making recommendations to be taken forward.

The first topics of discussion at the assembly will sit within the broad themes of the environment and climate change; transport; and health and social care.

Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for residents across our communities to help shape Bristol’s recovery following COVID-19. Only through listening to the voices of residents, can we truly create a city that offers opportunity for all. I’m proud our assembly actively sought the involvement of all communities and reflects the rich diversity of people living in Bristol.”

Commenting on the assembly, co-chairs of the Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change Prof Jim Longhurst and Dr Jo House, say, “This citizens assembly provides a valuable chance for the public to shape Bristol’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030 and responds to Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change recommendation that, in delivery, the One City Climate Strategy delivery is more explicit about the scale of societal change required achieving a rate of change, which the committee estimates needs to almost double. We hope that this is the first opportunity of many to develop the democratic mandate further and increase understanding of the climate challenge and interrelated issues such as health, resilience and inclusive economic development.”

The first citizens’ assembly will be held this Saturday 16 January and Sunday 17 January. The assembly will discuss and answer the question ‘How do we recover from COVID-19 and create a better future for all in Bristol?’

Simeran Bachra, UK Cities Manager at CDP and a member of Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change, is presenting to the Citizen’s Assembly during its opening weekend.

Further information about Bristol’s Citizens’ Assembly can be found on bristol.citizenspace.com/ycof/