A pioneering project in Bristol is bringing a range of businesses together to collaborate on helping reduce the levels of air pollution ahead of Bristol’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) launch in 2022.
Action Net Zero Bristol is a digital hub supporting residents and businesses to take easy, affordable action towards a net zero future. It is powered by subject matter experts, Good Energy, Rightcharge, Co Charger, ALD Automotive and Edwards, to help residents and businesses switch to cleaner, greener transport choices.
Pam Barbato, founder of Action Net Zero Bristol, said: “What’s unique about this project is that it’s about creating a blueprint for change in Bristol that can be used in other towns and cities. We know more than 1000 places in the UK have illegal levels of air pollution.
“By bringing partners and influencers together, each with their own area of expertise we provide expert help and advice on how residents and businesses can make greener choices – whether that’s encouraging people to walk or cycle more, or helping people shift to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy tariffs, using smart technology or switching to a car club, collectively we are promoting all the choices that are available. Fixing air pollution addresses use a car club rather than own a vehicle, or start riding an electric bike.”
Graeme Cooper, Head of Future Markets, National Grid Renewable Energy, Clean Transport, Market, Policy and Regulation, said: “At National Grid we see electric vehicles as a positive development for the electricity system, helping to use renewable energy more efficiently by acting as batteries on wheels, soaking up excess power and discharging back into the grid when needed.
“The decarbonisation of transport also plays a broader role in supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions, presenting a huge opportunity to reduce emissions, improve air quality and to be a global leader in mobility.
“But the climate crisis isn’t limited by any regional boundary or border and action often begins at a local level, so it’s great to see Action Net Zero gaining momentum. By giving clear and accurate advice on switching to EVs,and bringing people together to accelerate more sustainable lifestyle choices, it can be one part of the journey to net zero and lasting change.”
Juliet Davenport, Founder of Good Energy and Chair of Zap-Map, said: “One of the brilliant things about the energy transition is the opportunity to bring people together. We see that in community run renewables and we will see it as we switch to clean transport too.
“Walking, cycling, public transport and community electric vehicle charging – three are opportunities for us to build stronger bonds with others as well as for cleaner air. With great businesses leading the charge as partners too, Action Net Zero Bristol is a leading example of people coming together for a greener future.”
Dr Euan McTurk, Plug Life Television, said: “Action Net Zero Bristol is impressively broad-reaching in terms of the areas of environmental impact that it seeks to improve, and the active support from major businesses that it has managed to attract already. It acts as a font of knowledge for local residents and businesses, giving them clear and accurate advice on how to lessen their environmental impact and pointing them in the direction of grants, incentives and other support to do so – of which many people and businesses would have remained completely unaware.
“They even introduce residents and businesses to others who have already made the switch, so that people can be reassured of the benefits before taking the plunge themselves. Action Net Zero therefore does exactly what it says in the title, and plays a pivotal role in accelerating what is a very urgent transition to Net Zero.”
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