A first-of-its-kind project in Bristol is bringing a range of businesses together to collaborate on helping reduce air pollution ahead of the city’s clean air zone (CAZ) launch in 2022.
Featuring Good Energy, Rightcharge, Co Charger, ALD Automotive and Edwards, Action Net Zero Bristol is a digital hub that launched in July 2021 and supports residents and businesses switch to more sustainable transport modes.
“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 1,000 places in the UK have illegal levels of pollution,” said Pam Barbato, founder of Action Net Zero.
“By bring 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 the climate crisis too, the sources and solutions are inextricably linked.”
The project aims to promote community and regional change in a number of ways, including myth-busting, providing accurate information from subject matter experts and issuing guidance and advice on greener, cleaner transport options.
In addition to utilising local radio and business press, Action Net Zero Bristol has published targeted videos on social media and advertised on a range of outdoor media, including on bus shelters and bus rears across the city to build awareness of the CAZ.
Partners brought into the Action Net Zero network include Graeme Cooper, head future markets at National Grid; Juliet Davenport, founder of Good Energy and chair of Zap-Map; and Dr Euan McTurk of EV and battery technology YouTube channel Plug Life Television.
Furthermore, the organisation highlights local residents and businesses who have made or are making greener transport choices, and has launched a children’s art competition to create a picture imagining Bristol in 2030, judged by Good Energy’s Good Future Board and local illustrator Richard Dearing who created the campaign’s creative.
“We are measuring reach and impact to understand how to further accelerate regional change,” added Barbato. “We’ll also be looking at practical markers, such as a snapshot of air quality data, through the help of our partners, within a test area in Bristol, and measuring how many people and businesses make green switches before the CAZ starts.
“We all know change takes time, but collectively we can accelerate it if we break down barriers and myths and share learnings. Our aim is to help provide principles for success for other regions, evidencing best practise.”
Read more: Bristol’s CAZ delayed until summer 2022
