The Planet Mark sponsored #ZeroCarbonTour visited the Frenchay Campus of the University of the West of England (UWE) on Friday 10th September, on its way to the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
Nearly 200 business leaders and entrepreneurs came together (in person and on live stream) to hear from metro mayor Dan Norris, UWE vice-chancellor Steve West and from local businesses that have started their own journey to net zero.
The aim of the tour is to share the net zero message with the business community and raise awareness of the UN Race to Zero and the UK’s #TogetherForOurPlanet campaign, ahead of COP26 in November.
Metro mayor Dan Norris said:
“UWE was a perfect place to officially welcome the Zero Carbon Bus Tour to our region. Many of our brilliant local researchers, scientists and engineers hold a key to addressing the global climate emergency.”
“The high turnout reflects the enthusiasm and commitment in the West of England to meet our ambitious goal of net zero carbon by 2030. The bus tour was an innovative way to drive home the important message that we can all play our part in beating the global climate emergency.”
The West of England Combined Authority is already helping businesses on their journey to net zero through its Green Business Grants scheme, funded by the West of England Recovery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. Over 50 businesses have already been awarded grants totalling £500,000 to make energy saving improvements. A free carbon survey offer is currently available to any business wanting to understand their energy use and how to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Professor James Longhurst, assistant vice-chancellor for environment and sustainability at UWE, said:
“UWE Bristol has set itself the ambition of becoming at least carbon neutral for all of its emissions by 2030 and is working to support businesses and local authorities such as South Gloucestershire and
Bristol to meet their own ambitious carbon goals.”“Through our teaching we are helping our students to become carbon literate and ready to play their part in the green economy of tomorrow whilst our research is addressing key questions of mitigating emissions and adaptation to a changing climate.”
This article originally appeared in the October 2021 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine (on page 20). The magazine is delivered FREE, nine times a year, to over 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford, Little Stoke and Harry Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
