Meet the categories: Bristol’s sustainability legends

Nominations are open now for our new project, Bristol Legends.

We want to hear your favourite sustainability causes and individuals who you think have shaped Bristol’s greener future.

We’re looking for the best organisations that are working hard to bring sustainability to the city and beyond.

Whether these are individual advocates, active campaigners, sustainable companies or local initiatives, we want to know who you think deserves to be recognised as a Bristol Sustainability Legend.

The Bristol Legends sustainability category is sponsored by Bristol Waste. 

In the sustainability category, we are looking to spotlight legends in the areas of:

Activists, Campaigner, Volunteers

Energy, Home and Transport

Nature and Biodiversity

Along with any other causes you believe deserve recognition.

Once we know your favourites, our expert panel will determine who will take home the title at our Bristol Legends event in March 2026.

This year’s Bristol Legends sustainability panel hosts some of the brilliant minds behind Bristol’s conservation, accessibility and ecological movements. They are:

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is the head of this year’s sustainability panel – photo: Bristol Waste

Sarah Burns is the head panellist of this year’s sustainability panel. She is a community leader and sustainability advocate based in Bristol, known for her work connecting social impact, creativity and environmental responsibility. She has supported a range of local projects that promote community resilience and environmental awareness.

Lizzi Testani

Lizzi Testani leads the city’s efforts to accelerate climate action – photo: Sham Phat Photography

Lizzi Testani is the chief executive officer of the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, where she leads the city’s efforts to accelerate collective action on climate and nature recovery. Under her leadership, the partnership has developed initiatives such as the Climate Action Programme and the Community Climate Action Project. Passionate about fairness and inclusion, Lizzi advocates for a response to the climate emergency that is both fast and just.

Savita Willmott

Savita Willmott helps to shape Bristol’s environmental vision – photo: BNHC

Savita Willmott is the chief executive of the Natural History Consortium, a charitable collaboration engaging people with the natural world through events like Festival of Nature. Based in Bristol, she has been with the organisation since 2006, leading its transformation and growth. Savita also co-chairs the One City Environment Board, helping to shape Bristol’s environmental vision and strategy for nature recovery.

Martin Fodor

Martin Fodor is a Green party councillor and advocate for environmental resilience – photo: Green Party

Martin Fodor is a Bristol city councillor and co-chair of the Bristol One City Environment Board, working to advance the city’s transition toward carbon neutrality and environmental resilience. A long-time advocate for sustainability and community-led action, Martin plays a key role in connecting policy with grassroots initiatives across Bristol.

Ruth Nortey

Ruth Nortey focuses on the intersection of disability, race and environmental justice – photo: Trinity Community Arts

Ruth Nortey is a researcher and climate justice advocate based in Bristol. A former Black & Green ambassador, she focuses on the intersections of disability, race and environmental justice. Ruth hosts the Climate Justice in Action podcast, highlighting inclusive approaches to climate and nature work, and is completing a PhD on disability and employment inequality.

Helen Bell

Helen Bell is helping to amplify conversations about environmentalism – photo: Greenhouse

Helen Bell is a sustainability consultant and community organiser in Bristol, and is the director of Greenhouse, a green communications company driving environmental change. She has been involved in initiatives promoting environmental education, sustainable business and women’s leadership in sustainability networks.

Main photo: Rob Browne

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