Thread by @BDavisBriz

Looking forward to hearing more about what #Bristol should be asking for from the #COP26 Summit #futurecity21

https://twitter.com/bristolideas/status/1448968732223709186

Chair Andrew Kelly opens by saying that there is general consensus around #COP26 that "now is the time" to act on the #ClimateEmergency. #FutureCity21

Kelly asks the MPs on best practise on climate emergency in their constituencies. @karinsmyth highlights the work in her area on #Food & #Allotments - helping secure a just transition & providing affordable locally grown food #FutureCity21

Next @KerryMP agrees that local food production is important - particularly following reports of deforestation & global HGV driver shortages. Also highlights the work #Bristol is doing to decarbonise transport, esp. in R&D #FutureCity21

.@darrenpjones welcomes the "enthusiasm of community groups" across the city. Highlights the flood defence work that is taking place in his constituency. Welcomes Mayor Rees' investment in this work #FutureCity21

Kelly asks how important Bristol's declaration of a #ClimateEmergency is in driving action. Jones says that it is a positive step, but the Council will need further #Devolution of powers & funding to do more #FutureCity21

McCarthy says that cities can be "more radical than people think". Welcomes the One City Ecological Plan. Welcomes "imaginative thinking" on "green walls & roofs" and difficult decisions not to build on Brislington Meadows #FutureCity21

Also welcomes the work of the Bristol Swifts group, which helps to protect swift species across Bristol, which are urban birds with a threatened habitat #FutureCity21

Smyth also welcomes the Climate Emergency & One City approach. However, does not believe the Green Capital has taken all of Bristol with it - repeats Jones' call for further funding & #Devolution of power #FutureCity21

Smyth also says we need to encourage people to do more locally and for politicians at all levels to have "honest conversations" with the electorate around potential rewards & risks of addressing climate change #FutureCity21

Kelly asks about the importance of #Health. Smyth says that we are "still at the foothills" of understanding the impact of #ClimateChange on health. Says that heat will potentially be a future challenge that we still do not know enough about #FutureCities21

Smyth warns that we must retrofit and build new buildings that will allow them to adapt to heat as well as cold, so people can use them all year round #FutureCities21

On the #GreenNewDeal & its role on the #JustTransition, Jones highlights his work forming the Citizens Assembly. Says that "fairness" was the main priority for people - with those whose work will disappear/change being supported to adapt to new opportunities #FutureCity21

Jones looks forward to the Govt's Heat & Buildings Strategy, which is due to be published next week, which he hopes will not just provide clear targets, but also how it will support families to adapt #FutureCity21

On transport, McCarthy says that we need to do more to support people to buy EVs. In particular, supporting those who can afford to buy cars to do so now to help create a 2nd-hand market for those who cannot afford new EVs #FutureCity21

McCarthy welcomes the fact that #Bristol has made the biggest investment in EV infrastructure outside of London, but more needs to be done to improve public access points #FutureCity21

McCarthy also welcomes the potential for hydrogen fuels, but that we still over-rely on blue hydrogen, which uses fossil fuels so it is "not the silver bullet yet" #FutureCity21

Turning to #COP26, Smyth - who is not attending - says that she remembers "the excitement of Rio 1992". Says UK Govt should be "taking ownership" of COP26 and showing leadership & vision as to how the UK will lead the way on tackling climate change #FutureCity21

In particular, clarity of vision is needed so that politicians can engage with constituents who are skeptical of climate change, or feel that they will be loosing out from greening technologies #FutureCity21

Next Jones (who is attending), says that it is important for #COP26 to not only show what individual countries are doing, but creating a global roadmap to ensure we collaboratively hit the NDC targets agreed at Paris #FutureCity21

McCarthy (who is also attending) says that her particular interest will be in global efforts to tackle shipping emissions, but also the work she has been doing as founder of an APPG on Small Island States which is the most vulnerable to climate change #FutureCity21

Locally, McCarthy also hopes to bring Council voices to the international forum #FutureCity21

More widely, McCarthy calls on the Govt to invest more in EV infrastructure, to restore the spending cuts to International Aid & address deforestation in our supply chains #FutureCity21

Kelly asks if Bristol MPs feel that the public are accepting of more radical & creative solutions. Jones is asked about the four-day week. Jones welcome the CV-19 induced shift towards Working From Home but things a 4-day week is "still a way away" #FutureCity21

However, Jones is also concerned this may exacerbate inequalities. Notes many of his constituents do not have good broadband access or work in services or healthcare that do not allow WFH #FutureCity21

Smyth says that visits to schools in her constituency has demonstrated to her that children are becoming increasingly concerned with environmental issues, especially plastic waste #FutureCity21

Smyth also says we need to focus on young people - being honest about the challenges they will face & provide practical solutions on how we will invest in the skills needed to help prepare these young people for low-carbon jobs #FutureCity21

On animal agriculture, McCarthy says as a #Vegan, she believes progress is being made on educating people on the carbon footprint of livestock. Says there is now a growing argument to reduce meat consumption #FutureCity21

In particular, McCarthy repeats that we not only need to focus on decarbonising the meat sector at home, but also focusing on our supply chains and how we can prevent deforestation etc #FutureCity21

Jones says he is also vegan (after McCarthy convinced him). Says there needs to be clearer labelling on the origin of our food, and labelling it to include a products' carbon footprint #FutureCity21

Smyth declares herself as "Bristol's only non-vegan MP", but is vegetarian. Says we cannot tell people what to do (in terms of diet), but we can inform consumers to make better choices, through labelling & education #FutureCity21

Smyth says that #Bristol is well placed to lead on this as a city that is proud of its food & is increasingly growing more of its own food #FutureCity21

Next, MPs are asked on how to generate cross-party support. McCarthy says it is "better than it was". Highlights there is a growing number of relevant APPGs & says there is a "new batch of eco-aware Tories", but their focus tends to be on technological solutions #FutureCity21

McCarthy also notes that Ministers are getting more engaged. Calls Lord Goldsmith an "ally" on Net Zero issues #FutureCity21

As Chair of a Select Committee, Jones agrees there is growing political consensus from MPs. However, says HMT is "still not fully signed up" & claims there is still an active lobby of climate-skeptic MPs who are framing Net Zero policies as infringement of liberties #FutureCity21

Smyth says cross-party consensus is vital for "making Net Zero work". However, believes that the actions with the biggest impact will happen at the local level, which will require Govt action to empower community groups #FutureCity21

Smyth also turns to the #LevellingUp agenda, which has to be part of the Net Zero ambition. Highlights poor public transport and "food deserts" are particular areas of concern in South Bristol #FutureCity21

Next, MPs are asked about their views on rising sea levels and the Western Harbour Development & expansion of Bristol Airport. Smyth says the Cumberland Basin is an area enjoyed by many & hopes proposals will protect it for future generations #FutureCity21

On Bristol Airport, Smyth acknowledges that the airport is a significant employer for Bristol South so, while it is important the airport remains successful, more should be done to convince people to use other, green methods of transport like trains #FutureCity21

Jones acknowledges he does not know the fine details of Western Harbour, but welcomes investment in sea flood defences across the city, including in #Avonmouth in his constituency #FutureCity21

Jones is also sceptical of the need for future expansion of Bristol Airport #FutureCity21

McCarthy also not overly familiar with Western Harbour, but says that flooding is an issue for all Bristol MPs. On the airport, she is skeptical of expansion, but welcomes innovation in the city on Jet Zero & clean aviation fuels #FutureCity21

McCarthy also says that we need to explore how the pandemic will affect business flights in the long run. Is critical of cuts to Air Passenger Duty, particularly for private jets #FutureCity21

On public understanding on the term #NetZero & how MPs can educate constituents, McCarthy believes that while people may not be able to give a pithy summary of Net Zero, people have a general understanding that it relates to climate change & carbon emissions #FutureCity21

Says that it is important that MPs continue to engage with their constituents to help to build understanding and buy-in #FutureCity21

On how tackling economic inequality links in to Climate Change, Smyth says we know that people from poorer backgrounds risk being hardest hit both by climate change & green transition. Says it is vital that we seek a Just Transition & keep inequalities at the fore #FutureCity21

On how to align local, regional & national activities, Jones says this needs to happen at a much quicker pace than ever before. Says Govt has a bigger role to play on public education, but also businesses & communities #FutureCity21

Jones believes that Climate Action "needs to become more mainstreamed". Says that we know there is public support for addressing climate change & more needs to be done to tap into interest and goodwill #FutureCity21

Smyth repeats the need for a Just Transition, which is inclusive to all people. Says Govt has a role to play, particularly in mobilising businesses and financial institutions to invest in left-behind areas & greening activities #FutureCity21

As much as politicians mobilising their constituents, Smyth also reminds attendees that they have "the power of the ballot box" to help persuade MPs to take the climate agenda more seriously #FutureCity21

McCarthy believes mainstream environmental movement still not particularly diverse & largely "middle class". Says we must to do more to bring more voices into the debate. Highlights the work of Bristol's Black & Green Ambassadors #FutureCity21

McCarthy that Govt needs to provide a strategy to deliver alignment of activities. Says that a mixture of market forces & competitive funding pots for #LocalGovt will not deliver the results we need (esp on EV infrastructure) #FutureCity21

Interesting conversation on what #COP26 could deliver for #Bristol. Thanks to @KerryMP @darrenpjones & @karinsmyth for your insights, to Andrew Kelly for chairing & @bristolideas for hosting #FutureCity21

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