Millions of pounds of investment have been announced by the Mayor of the West of England, as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The package has been launched on the day of the Wild Summit, a landmark national nature conference held for the second year running in Bristol.
Mayor Helen Godwin says that a summer of drought, heatwaves, and wildfires demands a further acceleration in environmental investment. At last year’s conference, the Mayor and council leaders united to announce a joint commitment for nature to be at the heart of the region’s economic Growth Strategy.
By mid-July, more days with temperatures of at least 30 degrees Celsius were recorded than in 1976, the previous benchmark for hot summers, according to Reading University’s Atmospheric Observatory.
New national data shows that hospital A&E departments saw a record 2.5 million attendances in July, during a month marked by two heatwaves, with May to July becoming the busiest three-month period ever recorded. Figures published in recent weeks have also highlighted a rise in climate-related deaths. The UK Health Security Agency estimates that almost 2,900 people died nationally in the May and June heatwaves – nearly twice the number for the whole summer in 2025. In the most recent Office of National Statistics figures, there were more heat-related deaths in England and Wales than cold-related deaths.
Across the West Country, the summer’s heatwaves saw schools closed, transport networks disrupted, the country’s fastest-growing regional economy impacted, and crops affected – including depleted cider harvests.
Setting out a broad range of interventions, the Mayor of the West of England today confirmed:
- A new ambition for all buses in the region to be air-conditioned as soon as possible, just like the 250 new green buses set to be on the West’s streets by the end of the year – with £150 million allocated for bus improvements and infrastructure through the region’s record transport funding from government
- Continued progress to improve the energy efficiency of homes in the region, with more than £6 million invested through regional funding from government and partners including Brighter Places, Bristol City Council, Bromford Flagship LiveWest, Brunelcare, Curo, and GreenSquareAccord – and almost £54 million of further investment planned by 2030
- The £5 million Nature Fund will continue to deliver landscape-scale environmental projects that will increase climate resilience through nature-based solutions, adding to the £7.5 million secured for the Western Forest, the country’s first new national forest in three decades
- Plans to develop a new Climate Resilience Action Plan/Strategy for the West of England and hold the region’s first ‘Big Conversation’ event this autumn on climate policy
- The Mayor’s Green Energy Fund continues to provide £500,000 of grants to help cool down care homes and community spaces, building on initiatives such as the West of England Clean Power Pilot, which used renewably charged batteries to power live events and TV and film productions.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“This summer has shown us that the climate crisis is not a distant threat but something that’s already affecting people across the West of England, and we’ve seen the impact first-hand.
“That’s why we’re investing in practical action to help our region adapt, from improving the energy efficiency of homes and expanding nature-based solutions to upgrading public transport and supporting cleaner sources of power. The West of England is already leading the way in tackling the climate crisis, and by working together we can build a healthier, greener and more resilient future for everyone who calls our region home.”
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said:
“The UK has taken decisive steps to tackle the climate crisis, including preparing for extreme weather and acting to protect communities from the very real impacts of climate change which we have all experienced this summer.
“The climate and nature crisis go hand in hand, so it is brilliant to see local leadership and investment in nature-based solutions across the West of England that will not only help to drive down emissions but also bolster our resilience to extreme weather, create jobs, and give more people access to nature.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Councillor Tony Dyer, Deputy Mayor of the West of England and Leader of Bristol City Council; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said in a joint statement:
“Addressing climate change and restoring nature will take long-term commitment from all of us. Across the West of England, councils, businesses, community organisations and residents all have a vital role to play in shaping a more sustainable future.
“By continuing to work together, we can build on the progress we’ve already made, create new opportunities for sustainable economic growth and skilled employment, protect and enhance our natural environment, and ensure our region remains a healthy, resilient and prosperous place to live, work and visit for generations to come.”
Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said:
“The impacts of climate change are being felt across North Somerset, so it’s vital that we continue investing in practical solutions that make a real difference to people’s lives. This funding will help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, supporting cleaner and healthier places to live, greener jobs, lower energy costs and a more resilient environment for future generations.”
