Funded in part by Bristol City Council’s green investment programme, the Bristol Climate Action Investment, Bristol City Leap is set to begin renewable energy upgrades at three council-owned buildings: Belbrook Children’s Respite Unit, Ridingleaze House and Symes House. The improvements are designed to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills.

Following the successful launch of the Bristol Climate Action Investment in 2025, the council raised £2 million thanks to wide support from residents and businesses keen to invest in a greener future for the city.

The work will be carried out by Bristol City Leap, powered by Ameresco UK, who will replace existing fossil-fuelled heating systems with new air source heat pumps at all three sites. At Belbrook Children’s Respite Unit, a children’s short break service that supports disabled children and their families, the works will provide a broader package of improvements, including a new rooftop array of solar panels, upgraded LED lighting and additional loft insulation alongside the heating upgrade. The measures will reduce bills and carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, keeping warmth in to create a more comfortable environment for service users and staff.

At Ridingleaze House and Symes House, both used by Bristol City Council’s Children and Young People Services, the works will replace ageing fossil-fuel boiler systems with low-carbon air source heat pumps and associated upgrades to the pipes, radiators and controls.

The three sites were prioritised because they are among the top 30 carbon emitters in Bristol City Council’s corporate estate and were identified as suitable for decarbonisation through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). The project is being supported by Bristol City Council’s Decarbonisation Fund and the Government’s PSDS funding.

Together, the upgrades are expected to save an estimated 28 tonnes of CO2e each year, roughly the same as taking around 19 average petrol cars off the road for a year, while cutting energy use by 154,008kWh, enough to power around 57 typical UK homes for a year.

Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy resilience through upgrading ageing energy infrastructure is increasingly important to ensure that key public buildings can continue to operate reliably, efficiently and cost-effectively in the years ahead. By upgrading ageing heating systems and improving overall building performance, the council can reduce its exposure to volatile energy costs, lower reliance on fossil fuels and help make council buildings better equipped to support essential services. These improvements are particularly valuable in buildings that serve children, families and communities, where dependable, well-performing infrastructure is critical.

Justin Jacober, Managing Director at Ameresco UK:

“This project is a strong example of how Bristol City Leap is helping Bristol City Council take practical action to decarbonise important public buildings. By replacing gas heating with air source heat pumps and introducing additional energy-saving measures such as solar PV, LED lighting and loft insulation at Belbrook Children’s Respite Unit, we are helping to reduce emissions, modernise ageing infrastructure and support more efficient buildings for the people who use them every day.”

“We’re proud to be working in partnership to deliver improvements that support both environmental goals and public services, particularly at sites that play such an important role in supporting children, families and communities across Bristol.”

Councillor Abi Finch, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee at Bristol City Council:

“We’re pleased to announce that works to install energy efficiency improvements are soon underway. These upgrades are another important step in Bristol’s journey towards a cleaner, net-zero future. By improving buildings such as Belbrook Children’s Respite Unit, Ridingleaze House and Symes House, we are investing in infrastructure that supports vital council services while helping to reduce emissions from our estate.”

“The two investment windows we opened last year through the Bristol Climate Action Investment were a huge success, raising £2 million and hitting our investment target early, following strong demand by investors and funding from two major private investors, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Unity Trust Bank. This shows great support for climate action through the council’s local green investment.”

“Bristol City Council remains committed in its efforts to help to decarbonise the city delivering practical change in the buildings our staff, residents, children and families rely on. Through the Bristol Climate Action Investment we engaged the people and communities of Bristol to invest at a local level, while continuing to play our part in achieving progress towards the city’s climate goals”

The works form part of a wider decarbonisation initiative focused on Bristol City Council’s corporate estate. The programme is intended not only to lower operational emissions but also to improve building performance and support long-term sustainability across the council’s estate.

The post Bristol City Leap to Upgrade Key Public Buildings, Boosting Energy Efficiency and Resilience appeared first on Bristol City Leap.

Recorded at Futurebuild 2026, this panel discussion explores the progress made so far, the role of retrofit in the region’s transition to net zero, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Bristol and the wider South West.

Chair:
Cllr Martin Fodor, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, Bristol City Council

Speakers:
Hannah Spungin, Director, Bristol City Leap
Craig Madders, Managing Director, Value Optimised Retrofit (VOR)
Matt Jones, Project Coordinator (Energy), Bristol City Council

The post Retrofit in Bristol and the West: Panel Discussion | 13 May 2026 appeared first on Bristol City Leap.

The event marked an important milestone in the collaboration between Bristol City Leap and We The Curious, which aims to make Bristol’s low-carbon energy future more accessible, engaging and inspiring for visitors of all ages.

Guests were welcomed by Hannah Spungin, Director of Bristol City Leap, Jon Sankey, Head of Business Development at Vattenfall Heat UK, and Chris Dunford, Sustainability Director at We The Curious, who spoke about the importance of bringing sustainability education to life through hands-on experiences that connect people with the city’s decarbonisation journey.

Among those attending were Cllr Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, Cllr Abi Finch, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, and representatives from organisations including Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, SevernNet, Bristol Temple Quarter, Bristol BID, the NHS, Women in Property, Airbus, The Bristol Dockyard, Materials In Mind and Real Growth.

Following the introductions, attendees had the opportunity to experience the exhibit for themselves, and it’s safe to say it was a hit!

Bringing Bristol’s Energy Future to Life

The new exhibit has been designed to raise awareness of Bristol’s growing low-carbon energy infrastructure through a playful, inclusive and sensory experience.

Visitors can post coloured ‘scarves’ into the exhibit’s inlets, adjust airflow using valves, and watch as their scarves travel through a maze of tubes representing Bristol’s energy networks before emerging overhead. Along the way, they encounter recognisable Bristol landmarks, helping connect the experience directly to the city around them.

The exhibit celebrates the extensive network of pipes and cables that are helping deliver renewable electricity and low-carbon heat across Bristol, while demonstrating how innovative infrastructure can help create a more sustainable future.

By transforming a complex topic into a fun and social experience, the installation helps visitors better understand the role that low-carbon energy systems play in everyday life and the positive changes already taking place across the city.

A Hit with Visitors

Even before its official launch celebration, the exhibit had already become a favourite with visitors to We The Curious.

In fact, staff have had to place a bench facing the installation after parents, grandparents and guardians had asked for somewhere to sit while their children continued playing with the exhibit.

The anecdote perfectly captures the ambition behind the project: to create an experience that isn’t just educational, but genuinely enjoyable, encouraging curiosity, exploration and conversation about Bristol’s sustainable future.

Demonstrating the Power of Partnership

The exhibit is the result of a close collaboration between Bristol City Leap and We The Curious, combining expertise in sustainability, education and visitor engagement.

Bristol City Leap is helping to accelerate Bristol’s journey to net zero by delivering large-scale investment in low-carbon energy infrastructure through its partnership between Bristol City Council, Ameresco UK and Vattenfall Heat UK.

Meanwhile, We The Curious continues to inspire curiosity and learning through experiences that help people engage with science and the world around them.

Together, we have created an exhibit that not only highlights the innovative work taking place beneath Bristol’s streets, but also encourages visitors to imagine the role they can play in creating a greener future.

As the newest addition to We The Curious’ North Gallery, the exhibit is expected to engage hundreds of thousands of visitors over the coming years, helping build awareness, understanding and confidence in Bristol’s transition to a low-carbon city.

The launch event was a celebration not only of a new exhibit, but of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to sustainability, education and community engagement.

The post Bristol City Leap and We The Curious Celebrate Launch of New Interactive Sustainability Exhibit appeared first on Bristol City Leap.

The sites benefiting from this project and receiving new solar installs are Avonmouth Church of England School and Nursery, Kingsweston School, Whitehall Primary School, Stockwood Children’s Centre, and the M Shed.

This project is estimated to save ~171.51 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime, which is equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of all the trees in Bristol’s Brandon Hill park.

This programme has been made possible through grant funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Mayoral Renewables Fund, matched with investment from Bristol City Council’s Revolving Energy Efficiency Fund (REEF).

Alexandra Coleman, Senior Vice President at Ameresco UK, said: “This programme reflects Bristol City Leap’s drive to scale up practical, clean energy solutions across the city. By equipping key community buildings with solar installations, we’re enabling schools, cultural venues and children’s services to cut carbon emissions measurably, while also securing long‑term reductions in their energy costs.”

Councillor Martin Fodor, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: “Helping our schools and community spaces transition to renewable energy is central to Bristol’s vision for a greener and more resilient city. This funding allows public buildings to operate with greater sustainability, easing financial pressures and reducing emissions so that future generations can benefit from cleaner, healthier neighbourhoods.”

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “I’m delighted that we’re supporting more environmental projects in the West of England, using the Mayoral Renewables Fund to empower local communities with cleaner energy. Solar upgrades for schools, children’s centres, nurseries, and M Shed will not only help bring down their electricity bills but also reduce pollution.”

This solar programme marks a significant step forward in Bristol’s ongoing work to upgrade its public estate, support community wellbeing, and accelerate progress toward decarbonisation.

Work is expected to begin in early April, with completion anticipated in summer 2026.

The post Bristol City Leap to Install Solar Panels Across Key Public and Community Buildings appeared first on Bristol City Leap.

Beginning in the summer, the trial will test a ‘cross pavement gully’ solution. These are narrow channels installed in the pavement that allow a charging cable to run safely from a home charge point to an EV parked on the street. The household would need to cover the cost of installing the channel, but the council would license the work on the pavement and organise them.

The aim is to understand whether this approach can make home charging possible without creating trip hazards, obstructing the pavement, or impacting other pavement users.

This trial has been designed to understand how this type of solution could work safely, conveniently, and fairly in Bristol, and to develop a process for any future use of this technology. As this is a controlled trial, residents cannot ask private companies to install these channels, and it does not include a reserved parking space on the public highway.

Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “With transport making up around 34 per cent of the average Bristol resident’s carbon footprint, and private car use a big part of that, we need to give people more realistic ways to switch to low emission vehicles. “For many households, not having a driveway makes home charging difficult or unsafe. This trial will help us work with residents who are interested in helping us to understand whether cross-pavement solutions can work well for Bristol and the process for how it could be rolled out. This is all part of our ambition to become carbon-neutral and climate-resilient as a city.”

Residents interested in taking part in the trial can submit an expression of interest at Cross-Pavement Gully Charging Trial – Expression of Interest – Bristol City Leap.

The trial will run from August 2026 to June 2027, with gully solutions being installed in batches.

Monitoring and evaluation will feed into a report that will help shape the council’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy.

The project is being delivered by Ameresco as part of the Bristol City Leap partnership, with the trial being run by Bristol City Council.

It follows on from the news that Bristol’s EV charging boosted by 150 new on-street charge points – Bristol City Leap.

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The new on-street EV charging points have been installed at the base of upgraded lampposts at sites selected in areas of Bristol where there are low numbers of driveways, to give people without off-street parking access to charging points for their electric vehicles.

Once the charger is installed, it will be available for public use with simple instructions next to the charge point. Detailed instructions on how to use it and the price will be clearly displayed on the Fuuse app, which also includes the locations of the EV charge points.

The lampposts were upgraded last year in preparation for the chargers, which allows the charger installation process to be quick and straightforward, and is usually completed within a few hours.

Works are being delivered in partnership with Ameresco and Bristol City Leap, supporting Bristol’s wider commitment to clean energy, reduced emissions, and improved access to EV charging for residents.

Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “The new lamppost chargers are part of Bristol’s ongoing ambition to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and make it easier for residents to switch to low-emission vehicles. Through the Bristol City Leap partnership with Ameresco, the city is investing in accessible, reliable on-street charging to help support these long term goals.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Green electric buses are already making a difference across the West, cutting pollution and improving journeys – with more on the way. Our new Transport Vision sets out the direction of travel for our region, including increasing the number of chargers to support the growing number of other electric vehicles. These 150 new charging points through lampposts are a useful step forward for people in Bristol as we work together to deliver our wider transport ambitions, with almost £500,000 more funding already secured to enable all of our councils to enhance charging facilities.”

The lamppost chargers are designed to fit into the street environment while providing convenient access for residents, especially those without off-street parking.

The chargers being installed are slow CityEV 3.4kW chargers, designed for overnight use. The new chargers complement the existing network of council and privately owned chargers, which provide fast and rapid charging.

The project is funded by The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Green Recovery Fund and Office For Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) on-street residential charge point scheme (ORCS).

The post Bristol’s EV charging boosted by 150 new on-street charge points appeared first on Bristol City Leap.

As Bristol’s first large-scale implementation of an area-based approach to housing retrofit, this project will see the Bristol City Leap conduct retrofitting efficiently, targeting specific areas and streets with tailored design, therefore enhancing benefits for residents while ensuring cost-effectiveness.

Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said: “This retrofit programme is about improving the lives of our residents. By investing £25 million into upgrading homes across North Bristol, we’re creating warmer, healthier and more comfortable places for families to live. These improvements will help reduce energy bills, tackle fuel poverty and give households greater long-term financial security. At the same time, the project supports local jobs, strengthens our communities and contributes to a cleaner, greener, more resilient Bristol for everyone – as we work towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral.”

Transforming Social Housing for a Sustainable Future

This retrofit project, which will be implemented by March 2028, is set to upgrade homes in Henbury, Brentry, Avonmouth, and Lawrence Weston.

By retrofitting existing properties to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate or “EPC” rating of C, the programme aims to deliver warmer, cosier and more energy-efficient homes that directly benefit social housing tenants. EPC is the rating measurement of a building’s energy efficiency.

Key Measures Include:

• External and cavity wall insulation
• Window glazing and external door upgrades
• Enhanced ventilation systems
• Installation of solar PV and energy-efficient heat pumps
• Loft, roof, and floor insulation improvements
• Upgrades to energy-efficient lighting

The comprehensive area-based retrofit programme is designed to offer a range of significant benefits that will positively impact both tenants and the community. Firstly, making living more affordable. Additionally, by lowering carbon emissions, the project supports Bristol’s ambitious journey towards achieving carbon neutrality, ensuring a more sustainable future for the city.

Addressing fuel poverty is a key aspect of this initiative, with a goal of enhancing living standards for many residents. The programme also prioritises local engagement, fostering job creation and boosting social value through the involvement of local supply chains.

“This housing retrofit project is a significant milestone in our mission to create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Bristol,” said Alexandra Coleman, Senior Vice President at Ameresco UK. “Through our innovative area-based approach, we are set to invest in our communities and enhance the quality of life for social housing tenants while contributing to the city’s decarbonisation goals.”

To learn more about our retrofit work in social housing, check out our website: https://www.bristolcityleap.co.uk/domestic/social-housing/

This project is funded by The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This funding is managed by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and delivered by the South West Net Zero Hub.

The post Bristol City Leap Launches £25 Million Retrofit Project to Enhance Social Housing in North Bristol appeared first on Bristol City Leap.