A mayor has been criticised after he flew 4,600 miles to Canada - to give a 14 minute speech about the climate crisis. The Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees flew to Vancouver for a Ted talk which was later made available for people to watch online.
He spoke about the role mayors can play in tackling the climate crisis. Rees told the conference mayors were “leading beyond their authority” and influencing global policies on cutting carbon emissions.
Climate campaigners Flight Free say flying from Bristol to Vancouver and back would emit 2.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Earlier this month Bristolians voted to abolish the position of elected mayor in a referendum.
Mayor Rees will keep his job until 2024 but will not be replaced. He gave the talk before the position was abolished. His decision was rubbished on social media.
One person posted: “That’s why we got rid of this mayor couldn’t he have made a Zoom call?” Another said: “You couldn’t make this up.”
One fumed: “Typical that wouldn’t have been an all expenses paid holiday would it.” Another added: “Is it any wonder that the people of Bristol have just voted not to have a Mayor when this one does this sort of thing?”
The Mayor’s Office has been approached for comment.
