Eastside Community Trust, in partnership with Bristol City Council, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, BBRC and Abundance Ltd, is thrilled to launch its new Community Climate Action Prospectus.
Drawing on the recently completed Horizon Europe-funded Net Zero Finance Co-Innovation Lab, this Bristol-wide guide offers practical ideas, case studies and finance models to help communities drive the city’s net zero goals.
While the technical solutions to decarbonise Bristol’s energy, homes and transport are readily available, funding remains a formidable obstacle. It’s estimated that achieving Bristol’s net zero ambitions will cost some £7.8 billion, yet a clear path to leverage these funds has been missing.
The Lab set out to change that by developing financial vehicles and approaches capable of catalysing investment, supporting zero-carbon business growth and ultimately creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of green finance.
Although the Lab has now concluded, its legacy is already taking shape. An approved £100 million Net Zero impact fund from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority will begin deploying capital this summer, and our community proposals are being refined for pilot implementation.
Ed Rowberry, Chief Executive of BBRC, highlighted the significance of this step when he said:
“We’re delighted the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has taken the decision to initiate this £100 million fund.
Whilst the West of England has made progress on delivery of Net Zero and nature recovery, the scale of investment required to meet its ambitions and tackle the climate and nature emergencies needs bold action to accelerate it.
That means introducing new delivery models with a greater focus on private sector investment and alternative funding approaches. BBRC has a proven and credible track record of delivery, attracting vital private sector investment to the region that it otherwise wouldn’t get.”
Bristol remains the only UK city in the Horizon Europe cohort – joining peers in Sweden, Finland, France, Ukraine and Ireland – and we’re committed to sharing what we’ve learnt with partners across Europe.
Stacy Yellend, CEO of Eastside Community Trust, reflected on our involvement:
“Eastside Community Trust has always championed locally-driven solutions. Being part of the Finance Co-Innovation Lab let us put community voices at the heart of net zero finance. I’m proud that our proposals will help ensure money circulates back into the areas that need it most, creating jobs, upskilling residents and building resilience against rising energy costs.”
Eastside Community Trust will continue to ensure that the drive towards net zero is not just technologically ambitious but also socially inclusive. Together with residents, businesses and fellow organisations, we are helping to write the next chapter in Bristol’s green story: one in which everyone shares in the benefits of a cleaner, fairer future.
