The leader of Bristol City Council has defended flying to New York for a climate summit, just days after the council banned advertising for high-carbon industries on its own sites.
Cllr Tony Dyer, the Green Party leader at City Hall, attended the Urban20 Mayors Summit representing Bristol and the UK's other Core Cities in his role as Net Zero lead.
The taxpayer-funded trip came five days after councillors voted to ban public space adverts for flights, fast fashion, SUVs and fossil fuel companies.
Cllr Dyer acknowledged that international travel raises ‘legitimate questions’ about carbon emissions, but said the council assesses every trip for taxpayer value and environmental impact.
‘There are occasions…when being present in the room matters. The opportunity to influence international discussions, strengthen partnerships, share learning and attract future investment cannot always be replicated remotely,’ he said.
He added that flight emissions from politicians' travel have fallen 64% since he became leader.
