Make our prosperity sustainable

In 2005 Bristol's prosperity was 28% above the national average (as measured by our Gross Value Added wealth per person). This places us 34th in Europe. A focus on creative industries, engineering as well as banking and finance and the nearby Port continues to make Bristol's economy the engine of the South West. However, our aspiration is to ensure Bristol's prosperity is sustainable, and that we become a world leader in "green" technology.  We will measure this through the carbon dioxide intensity of our economy  (measured by Gross Value Added wealth per tonne of CO2 emitted from the city’s businesses) - in 2005 it was approximately £10,000 per tonne of CO2.

We need to concentrate on the following 4 outcomes

CO2: We have already committed to meet the targets set out in the Climate Change Act, but we will endeavour to go even further, faster. This means exceeding the 34% reduction on 1990 levels of carbon dioxide by 2020. We will do this by improving the resource efficiency of businesses and organizations as well as domestic energy efficiency.

Urban Environment: We must make sure newly built or redeveloped areas of the city meet the highest standards of urban design and green technology.

Creativity: Bristol’s wealth of know-how and creativity is the basis for ideas and innovations that will make it a world leader in emerging and “green” technologies. It means our schools must promote creativity and thinking alongside maths, languages and sciences. We will also esnure our colleges and universities are fully engaged as partners in promoting innovation.