Bristol has been shortlisted as one of the four finalists for the European Green Capital Award 2015.
The city is competing against Brussels, Glasgow and Ljubljana for the award. The winner will be announced on June 14 in Nantes, France.
The European Green Capital Award is given to a city which can act as a role model to inspire other cities and sha
re best practices. This is the second successive year that Bristol has been shortlisted for the award, having lost out to Copenhagen last year.
Winning would give Bristol’s economy a major boost, particularly its burgeoning low-carbon and sustainable sectors.
Mayor George Ferguson said: “This is tremendous news. We narrowly missed out on winning the prize last year but with determination we can do it this time round.
“Bristol is increasingly recognised across the UK and Europe for our work on renewable energy, Green Deal and retrofit programmes, and thriving low carbon economy.
“However, we need to up our game and ambition, and I am determined that Bristol becomes an environmental role model to inspire other cities around the globe.
“To win this time we all need to rally round, and I urge people to visit the Bristol Green Capital website and back the bid.”
West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) c hair Colin Skellett added: “Reaching the final shortlist is a reflection of Bristol’s commitment to the environment and to making our city greener.
“The award demonstrates that turning Bristol into a low-carbon city is central to our vision and by greening the city we are helping to create and protect jobs, and support the economy of the region."
“Should Bristol win the award it will create up to 1,000 new jobs and generate around £800,000 to the local economy, as well as helping to attract hundreds of thousands of pounds in sponsorship and grants.”
Business West director James Durie said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Bristol to be recognised on the global stage as a leader in low carbon living. We know it will help accelerate the transition of the city and its economy and better equip us into the future. We are encouraging all our members to get actively involved in shaping and supporting the bid.”
If successful, the award would help to reinforce Bristol’s reputation as the UK’s most sustainable city and help make the case to Government for using Bristol as a test-bed for new ideas.
Chair of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership Martin Bigg said: “Being in the final for the European Green Capital title in 2015 is great news for Bristol and a reflection of the commitment in the city to a sustainable green future and the quality of our bid.
“The Bristol community has really come together in support of the bid and I would especially like to thank the University of the West of England for supporting the work of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership on the bid."
President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chancellor, University of the West of England, Steve West, said: “Being shortlisted reflects that Bristol is up there with the best in Europe. It demonstrates our obvious strengths and is a huge opportunity for jobs, exports and inwards investment. It will encourage in our efforts to make Bristol an even more attractive place to live, work and study.”
Alongside the other short-listed cities Bristol will now present its case to a jury of experts in Brussels in May. It will then receive the final verdict on June 14.
