Zero carbon battle bus event to showcase Cheltenham’s climate change innovations

Organisations leading the fight against climate change will share their stories, as Cheltenham hosts a stop of the national Net Zero battle bus tour on Wednesday 15 September.

The UK’s first 100 per cent electric coach, the Carbon Battle Bus, will arrive at the University of Gloucestershire’s Park Campus on 15 September, as part of Planet Mark’s Net Zero Carbon Tour.

Cheltenham Borough Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Commercial are hosting the event, which is part of a string of national events leading up to the COP26 conference.

Cheltenham Borough Council cabinet member for climate emergency Councillor Max Wilkinson said: “The climate emergency is the biggest challenge we all face and Cheltenham is committed to fighting it.  If we are going to be successful in our local efforts, we need to make sure everyone has a chance to take part and contribute.  That’s why we have launched the Cheltenham Zero Partnership with Vision21 to bring together businesses, community groups and the public sector in a cross-borough effort.  At this thought-provoking bus tour event we hope to learn more from lots of organisations doing their bit and encourage more people to sign up to Cheltenham’s efforts.”

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member for clean and green environment, Councillor Jim Mason, said: "As a council that is committed and actively pursuing carbon reduction, we welcome and support opportunities like this to showcase the good work going on with businesses in our borough and in our neighbouring borough, Cheltenham. It is a great opportunity to share experiences with other like-minded organisations striving for carbon neutrality."

Cheltenham Borough Council declared a climate emergency and has set an ambitious target of 2030 for carbon neutrality as a local authority and borough.

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s members have also agreed a motion to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The day will include presentations on the UN’s Race to Zero and carbon jargon information sessions.  Local organisations will also give short presentations about their carbon stories, including the Cheltenham Zero Partnership.

Co-founder and managing director of Commercial, Simone Hindmarch said: “Climate change was the big challenge facing us in a pre-Covid world and I believe that the same extraordinary togetherness that saw us overcome the pandemic can help us protect our planet.

“The Cheltenham Zero Partnership and The Zero Carbon Tour stop in Cheltenham will be a fantastic chance for like-minded businesses from across Gloucestershire to come together to discuss and debate the topic and help to shape United Nations policy ahead of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.’’

Dr Jon Furley, sustainability operations manager at University of Gloucestershire said: ‘’The University is delighted to welcome people to Park Campus for the Net Zero Bus Tour. We have a deep long-standing commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon emissions to minimise climate change. This needs collaboration across the county and this event is a great opportunity to build the network to deliver a net zero community.’’

The event will start at 10:30 am at the Park Campus and businesses can register for the event at Eventbrite.