• Swindon & Wiltshire Eco
• Wednesday March 26 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol businesses urged to sign up to environmental programme and help city reach net zero by 2030

Time is running out for businesses in Bristol City Centre looking for support to become more environmentally sustainable.

Two of Bristol’s Business Improvement District organisations – Bristol City Centre BID and Redcliffe & Temple BID – have joined forces with Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership to help its levy-paying members cut their carbon emissions.

Over the past two years, over 100 BID businesses have been involved with the Climate Action Programme with 60 receiving one-on-one tailored support. Businesses have benefited from free events, case studies and toolkits, helping them cut carbon emissions and contribute to Bristol’s goal of becoming a net zero city by 2030.

Now, the partnership has launched the Getting Started programme, a structured initiative designed for organisations at the very beginning of their climate action journey.

Delivered in collaboration with sustainability consultancy Eunomia, the programme consists of three interactive workshops with practical tasks in between, giving participants the knowledge and confidence to take effective climate action.

The Getting Started programme is limited to just 10 organisations per year. Interested businesses should express their interest by 5pm next Wednesday, April 2.

Claire Jacob, head of communications & partnerships at Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, said: “We understand that initiating climate action can be daunting, especially for smaller organisations. Our ‘Getting Started’ programme is designed to demystify the process, providing participants with the essential tools and confidence to embark on their sustainability journey. By the end of the programme, organisations will have a clear carbon footprint baseline and a tailored climate action plan, empowering them to make impactful changes.”

The Climate Action Programme’s tailored approach has already demonstrated strong results. Businesses engaged with the initiative have praised the combination of practical advice and networking opportunities, with many now actively sharing best practices and implementing sustainability measures.

Mathew Swift, environment, health & safety manager at Womble Bond Dickinson LLP, said: ‘The Climate Action Programme has been instrumental in advancing our sustainability journey. The events and resources offer clear and practical guidance and the opportunity to connect with other businesses facing similar challenges has been incredibly useful. It reassures us that we are not alone in striving towards our climate goals’.

The initiative aligns with Bristol BIDs’ wider vision to unite into a single city-wide BID, boosting the city’s overall investment in sustainability. If approved, the unified BID will expand access to climate action initiatives, green projects and sustainable travel support, making it easier for businesses to contribute to Bristol’s net-zero ambitions.

Tom Swithinbank, senior project manager at Bristol’s BIDs, said: “Over the past two years, the Climate Action Programme has empowered businesses to take meaningful steps towards sustainability. As we look ahead to the proposed unification of the BIDs, uniting our efforts will enable us to make a greater impact in making support more accessible to businesses across the city. We encourage as many organisations as possible to take advantage of this opportunity and join us on the journey towards a greener Bristol.”

Pictured: Bex Shreeve, engagement officer at Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership at the launch of the Getting Started programme. Image by Julian Preece