Research shows Bristol residents support measures required to achieve cleaner air
See all news![An image of Clifton Suspension Bridge](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/clean-air-research-760x300.jpg?la=en&h=300&w=760&mw=847&hash=CDF721BF41BD63705106A1D7CE4B80F0)
A four-year research project, led by UWE Bristol, found that residents' suggestions on tackling air quality reflect the ambition of the city to reach clean air compliance and net zero carbon emissions as quickly as possible, in line with the Government's legal requirements. As part of the study, 1,400 Bristol people were asked what they want from their future city. Many indicated they would be willing to drive less in the future and adopt more pro-environmental behaviour.
Three-quarters (74%) of participants surveyed in the ClairCity study want to use public transport or active travel in the future, compared to 54% now. For shopping and leisure, 66% want to use public or active transport in the future, compared to 38% now.
Researchers found that if residents' preferences were implemented, compliance with legal levels of air pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) would be reached in the timeframe required by Government. The study was conducted in 2017, before the announcement of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) plan but the policies identified as being popular with citizens were similar to those being developed by Bristol City Council to achieve compliance in the shortest time possible.
In fact, the research showed that citizens supported measures that went further than those currently being developed. Implementing the policies identified by residents would also allow the city to achieve carbon neutrality sooner than current baseline policy ideas, the EU study revealed.
ClairCity involved citizens in decision-making through a variety of methods, including surveys, workshops (in Brislington, Bishopston, Barton Hill, Knowle West) and an interactive game for smartphones called ClairCity Skylines. They were presented with possible policy measures and asked what they would support to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, as well as what enabling changes could be made to make adoption more favourable. Modellers across the EU then took these ideas and quantified what the results would be.
The favourite policy measures that resulted from the engagement process were banning/phasing out the most polluting vehicles (not just charging vehicles); making buses greener and cleaner; making public transport cheaper, and creating good alternatives to car use – through better walking and cycling infrastructure.
Residents taking part in the study also called for a faster implementation of change or more ambitious targets to enable them to be more environmentally friendly. However, these engagements occurred prior to the IPCC report in 2018, which indicated there was a 12 year window in which urgent action on climate change. The researchers say it is possible the suggested measures would be more ambitious if the research was conducted today.
Professor Enda Hayes, Director of UWE Bristol's Air Quality Management Resource Centre, said: “Citizens clearly seek ambitious targets to reduce air pollution and climate change causing carbon emissions in Bristol. Our research shows that citizen involvement in these discussions can spur on city wide action. People want to change but need support from our businesses, workplaces, councils and national government if we want to live with clean air.
“The West of England is faced with the daunting task of reducing air pollution and carbon emissions to safe levels as soon as possible. These citizen supported ideas indicate that it's not just about banning or phasing out polluting vehicles - the conditions have to be created so that citizens can access local amenities without polluting our environment and health. ClairCity shows that the task of future proofing the city can be sped up with the involvement of Bristol's citizens.”
Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: “We have a duty to clean Bristol's air, and we are currently working hard to achieve legal compliance with the Government's air quality limits in the shortest possible time.
“We welcome these findings and have made significant progress. As always, we will continue to engage and listen to people's views as our plans develop further.”
For the latest information on the clean air plans for Bristol, visit the Clean Air for Bristol website.
Related news
![Someone holds the world in their hands in a pool of water](/-/media/uwe/images/news/climate-theatre-project-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=671411EFE5D11C702F789A85526F61DF)
26 June 2024
Water security and climate action to be explored through theatre with communities
UWE Bristol will support an international research project that will embed theatre practice to work with less heard communities who face water insecurity.
![A photo of a sign which says general election 2024 with Big Ben in the background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/general-election-adobestock-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=32EF3AB7949BAEE17613D57B04C55384)
17 June 2024
Opinion: Stats, leaflets, and claims - how to navigate the political battlefield
As political leaflets begin to clog the letterboxes of homes across the UK, how can you discern the truth amidst the claims made by the political parties?
![Members of the Centre for Appearance Research standing for a group photo, with balloons in the background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/car-anniversary-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DB550ACB3604EBA25099B9C3D3944EDC)
24 May 2024
Impact of world-leading Centre for Appearance Research celebrated on 30th anniversary
It has grown from two researchers and a PhD student to become what is considered the largest research centre in the world focussed on appearance and body image. Now the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) has celebrated its 30th anniversary.
![Centre for Appearance Research logo in front of a backdrop of the city docks in Bristol](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/appearance-matters-banner-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=12AF26A023C1FCD612FF8DC455319B40)
22 May 2024
Psychology researchers set to stage world’s only international conference on appearance and body image
Researchers from UWE Bristol are getting ready to stage the world’s only international conference focused on issues around appearance and body image.
![A photographer using an old-fashioned camera to take an photo of Stonehenge, with a backdrop of a blue sky](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/stonehenge-photography-main-image-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=82D3AA342D3552BF0055E5180A7BFE8E)
22 May 2024
Academic retraces footsteps of Victorian photography pioneer behind Led Zeppelin album cover
A UWE Bristol researcher has used old-fashioned photography methods to recreate images by a Victorian photographer noted for taking an iconic photo that became a Led Zeppelin album cover.
![A choir, dressed in black, singing](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/sing-for-happiness-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=93348AAAB0FE92C6F3A08BF25933D518)
22 May 2024
Singers brought together by happiness research to take to the stage
The event is the grand finale of ground-breaking research by UWE Bristol and St George's Bristol exploring the links between singing and wellbeing.
![A sign with branding of the Future Space lab at UWE's Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/future-space-expansion-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=EA4ACD0587C4C09E99C8DB97E1D4F4F4)
21 May 2024
Growth for tech innovation in Bristol as Future Space expands
UWE Bristol’s award-winning innovation centre, Future Space, has opened its doors to 10,000 square feet of brand-new office and laboratory facilities.
![A mother lies on a bed alongside her young baby](/-/media/uwe/images/news/motherhood-pandemic-adobestock-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=A5D13C5B88DEC68412A7FE9B32A3D1BD)
01 May 2024
The hidden work of new mothers exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic
New research has uncovered how the pandemic intensified and exposed the immense layers of unpaid work by mothers during maternity leave.
![Female with long fair hair with her back to camera holding a small brown dog in her arms, with the dog facing the camera over her shoulder](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/dog-theft-research-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6B48D7A7D4C02FE382B0A4E65E6B75E4)
26 April 2024
Study reveals emotional turmoil experienced after dog theft is like that of a caregiver losing a child
A new study led by a UWE Bristol researcher has revealed that emotional turmoil experienced by dog owners after their pet has been stolen is like/ akin to that of losing a loved one such as a caregiver losing their child.
![A billboard in St Werbughs in Bristol shows children's illustrations and the words if racism vanished for day I'd wear my hair like this](/-/media/uwe/images/news/billboard-racism-vanished-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=AEF138B778B4ABA3532A6C5D2630EE94)
26 April 2024
New billboard to encourage conversations about what life might be like without racism
The billboard displays an illustration from the book ‘If Racism Vanished for a Day’, which explores the impact of racism on children's wellbeing.
![A female researcher dressed in protective clothing and safety goggles holding a pipette in a science laboratory](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/research-concordat-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=C75E382A18894215622DD829F01C0DEC)
25 April 2024
UWE Bristol among first organisations to sign agreement to reduce environmental impacts of conducting research
UWE Bristol is among the first organisations to commit to a new national voluntary agreement to progressively embed environmental sustainability into all research and innovation practices.
![Representatives from UWE Bristol join Woodland Heritage and Forest Research with PhD student Alice Dibley](/-/media/uwe/images/news/woodland-heritage-phd-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=45F19ADF3D96E7D660DDA620AEB3F667)
15 March 2024
UWE Bristol announces partnership PhD with Woodland Heritage
A Partnership PhD will research the effects of management practices on Acute Oak Decline and the rhizosphere microbiome of parkland oak trees.