Bristol has become the first major city to declare an ecological emergency, highlighting the need to protect and preserve local wildlife and natural habitats in the city.

Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, made the declaration at a City Council Cabinet meeting on 4 February 2020, joined by Ian Barrett, Chief Executive of Avon Wildlife Trust (who also presented the Environmental Impact Award last week at the Voscurs).

Having declared an ecological emergency, Bristol’s next steps will involve the One City Environment and Sustainability Board (part of the One City Plan) working with Bristol City Council and other city partners, such as community organisations, to take action.

They will look at how to stop wildlife habitats being destroyed, how to sustainably manage land, and how to look after green spaces of all sizes across the city.

Local organisations supporting the ecological emergency declaration include the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire; the SS Great Britain; the University of the West of England, and We The Curious.

Marvin Rees said: “Our commitment to nature and wildlife will extend beyond parks and green spaces. We need our buildings, streets and open spaces to support wildlife and create a more nature-friendly city, and we need new developments to do the same.”

Ian Barrett said: “We face losing all that wildlife abundance and the natural world provides: clean air, clean water, healthy soils, food crops, natural flood defences and beautiful spaces to enjoy. All of us, from individuals to large city organisations, can now take action – from planting a single window box for pollinators, to a whole workforce effort for nature.”

If you’re interested in the ecological emergency and the climate emergency, why not join Voscur’s training course on how to reduce your carbon footprint and help Bristol become carbon neutral by 2030? It takes place on Wednesday 12 February, 10am – 1pm, at Knowle West Media Centre. Come and find out why it makes business sense for your organisation, no matter its size or budget, to become more environmentally sustainable.