The Green Party leader of Bristol council flew to New York for a climate change conference just days after the authority banned flight adverts in the city.

Tony Dyer was pictured alongside Zohran Mamdani at the Urban20 Mayors Summit in Manhattan on Sunday as 50 representatives from around the world discussed climate action.

Bristol city councillors voted on Sept 15 to prohibit the promotion of “polluting” and “high carbon” sectors including airlines, fast-fashion and petrol cars, on council-owned billboards, digital screens and bus shelters.

But five days later, Mr Dyer was seen in a photograph shared by Mr Mamdani, sitting with other mayors on the open-top deck of a New York City sightseeing bus.

Mr Dyer has defended his trip, claiming his attendance in New York was to ensure the perspectives of Bristol and other UK cities were represented.

He said in a statement on the council website: “Every journey undertaken by officers or councillors is assessed not only for value to taxpayers, but also for its environmental impact.

“There are occasions, however, 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.

“Of course, attending international events raises legitimate questions about travel and carbon emissions, particularly for those of us committed to climate action. I believe it is important to be transparent about that.”

He said the New York trip was only his third flight since he became the leader of the council in May 2024.

“We have a particular focus on cutting long-haul flights and considering lower-carbon alternatives wherever possible,” he added.

“Since I became leader of Bristol city council, the organisation has significantly reduced emissions from air travel, with data from our first 18 months in administration showing the total flight emissions down 28 per cent, and flight emissions from politicians’ travel down 64 per cent.”

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