In late 2016 Bristol Energy Cooperative, Foot Anstey LLP and SLR Consulting brought together about 100 people and organisations: renewables developers, community groups, the four West of England local authorities, transport providers, food growers, education, arts, financers, lawyers, IT specialists, PR companies, and other interested parties.
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They argued that if the West of England region is to go zero carbon quickly we need to work faster, in a more joined-up way, to complete low-carbon projects on a far greater scale than at present. They listed three main blockers to this happening:
1. A general unawareness (both institutionally and publicly) of the amazing recent advances in renewable energy technologies, and their falling costs.
2. Vested interests in the fossil fuel industry.
3. A lack of effective collaboration between the sectors already working regionally on the zero carbon challenge – local authorities, the private sector and the community.
And they pitched a new collaboration, harnessing the combined resources in the room, to:
- Map out a zero-carbon future for the region.
- Engage decision-makers on how it can be implemented.
- Influence zero-carbon policy at national and regional level.
- Oppose fossil fuel interests.
- Enthuse the public to join our zero carbon journey.
The reaction to the pitch that day was positive, and offers of help were made. A steering group was formed to take the idea to others and get more feedback.
Other working groups were formed to get going immediately on practical activity: data modelling, infrastructure project developmentand public engagement.
In April 2018 Zero West was incorporated as a Community Interest Company. It’s aligned with the Zero Carbon Britain model, and supports actions around energy, transport, food, the built environment, and the arts.
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