This week on CleanTalk, Film Director-Producer Luke Harmer sits down with James Sterling, Communications and Social Value Manager at Bristol City Leap, to explore how one city is pioneering a socially just energy transition.
In this episode, we dive into Bristol City Leap’s innovative approach to building a fairer, cleaner energy system — one designed not only to decarbonise but to protect the people who contribute the least to climate change from bearing the greatest cost. James unpacks how their model is creating a replicable blueprint for other regions and cities to follow, while ensuring that community voices remain central to the process.
From tackling fuel poverty and embedding social value, to driving investment and inspiring wider systemic change, this conversation highlights what a just transition can look like in practice and why Bristol’s story could mark a turning point for the way we think about local energy systems across the UK and beyond.
Enjoy!
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Connect with James on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-sterling-a96169104/
Unlock support for decarbonising your home, business or community: https://www.bristolcityleap.co.uk/
Join the CleanTalk community on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/groups/12991627/
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CleanTalk is produced by Harmer Visuals, a film production company specialising in brand & case study storytelling for organisations across the renewable energy and clean technology sector. To find out more about how we can help you, visit: harmervisuals.com
Many thanks to...
- Bristol City Leap for co-ordinating recording space
- Our rental suppliers -
O'RIORDAN | https://oriordan.io/ | Sunipa Pictures | https://www.sunipapictures.com/ | Shutter Films | https://www.shutterfilms.co.uk/
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Chapters for today's episode:
00:00-01:44 Intro
01:44-03:06 Early Life
03:06-11:12 First Jobs & Finding Purpose
11:12-13:12 How BCL Came About
13:12-14:56 What Is Ameresco?
14:56-17:19 Impact On The Local Job Market
17:19-21:04 Social Justice & The Energy Transition
21:04-24:47 Underrepresentation & Funding
24:47-26:27 The Importance Of Case Study Storytelling
26:27-26:41 ADVERT
26:41-28:44 Understanding The Organisational Model
28:44-31:26 BCL’s Goals
31:26-35:54 Inspiring The Next Generation
35:54-37:18 A Favourite Project
37:18-39:50 BCL’s Blueprints For Other Regions To Use
39:50-41:33 Winter On The Way
41:33-43:23 Social & Environmental Justice
43:23-46:21 Can BCL Help Your Organisation?
46:21-47:01 Outreach Methods
47:01-48:50 EV Infra
48:50-52:51 Quickfire Curiosity
52:51-53:20 Outro
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