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Our journey to net zero virtual exhibition
Brought to you by our Low Carbon Dorset programme, this collection of inspiring photographs and stories show a county committed to addressing climate change.
Bringing the projects to life
Hear from some of the inspiring people behind the projects that feature in the exhibition.Board1: Heat pumps and history
Sherborne Abbey
Once the site of a Saxon cathedral, Sherborne Abbey has seen many changes through its long and illustrious history.
And now, with the global threat of climate change at its door, the site is having to adapt once again.
Hidden out-of-site on the abbey’s historic roof is a cluster of heat pumps, working tirelessly to produce renewable heat for the vast hall below.
A lesson to us all that even in the most challenging of spaces, steps can be taken to tackle emissions.
Board 2: Powering change
Canford Renewable Energy, Wimborne
Sitting on a former landfill site in the east of the county is the region’s very first green hydrogen production facility.
Hailed as the emission-free fuel of the future, green hydrogen produced at the site in Wimborne is made using only water and renewable energy.
This clean fuel and the facilities that make it will be critical in moving our energy-hungry industries, like transport and aviation, away from fossil fuels.
Board 3: Lights, camera, action
Washingpool Farm Shop, Bridport
Though some may know Washingpool Farm Shop as a pivotal location in tv series Broadchurch, behind the cameras is a family-run farm leading the charge in sustainability.
Spanning 80 acres of Dorset countryside, Washingpool Farm supplies seasonal, local produce year-round. And in recent years, the farm has taken huge steps to drive down its carbon footprint.
As early adopters of renewables, they’re now paving the way in energy efficiency. A recent move to close fronted fridges in their shop has proven to be a game changer. This simple efficiency measure, if adopted by others in the industry, could save millions of kilowatts a year.
Board 4: Sustainable living
Hazelmead eco development, Bridport
Nestled in the west of the county is a cohousing development of 53 eco homes.
Each house in this inspirational neighbourhood has been designed to be high quality, affordable, energy efficient and resilient to the impacts of climate change. High levels of insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps help reduce their footprint and keep bills low for occupants.
The site also hosts the south west’s largest ‘microgrid’, a small scale electricity network which connects all 53 homes. Thanks to the microgrid, the solar power generated by each house can be shared across the whole neighbourhood.
A truly affordable, net-zero development brought to life by Bridport Cohousing, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, and micro-grid developer Cepro.
Board 5: Energising the past
Blandford Town Museum, Blandford
This small volunteer run museum has taken big steps to prepare itself and its visitors for a more sustainable future.
Tucked down a side street in the heart of Blandford, and home to a wide collection of artefacts and exhibits, is the town’s museum.
Totally reliant on electricity for heat and power, the museum was extremely vulnerable to spikes in the energy market. So, the team of dedicated volunteers took matters into their own hands and, with the recent surge in energy prices, they were only too glad they did.
New solar panels on the museum’s roof are now driving down costs and helping secure the future of this community treasure.
Board 6: Growing a greener future
Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester
From stately home to stables, classrooms to courtyards, the impressive Kingston Maurward estate spans 750 acres. But heating and powering a site this big comes at a high price, both financially and environmentally.
The college’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels was a cause for concern for staff and students. So, deciding it was time to act, they set the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025.
A new district heating scheme using ground source heat pumps has now eliminated their need for oil. And with most of the technology buried underground, you’d never even know it was there.
The project is a great discussion topic for students, encouraging our next generation of farmers, horticulturists, and land managers to consider their role in tackling climate change.
Board 7: Planet friendly tourism
Waterside Holiday Park, Weymouth
Since the pandemic, more and more of us are swapping trips abroad for holidays at home. A move that’s great for our planet and our local economies.
But what is being done to make our county a sustainable tourism destination?
By making simple changes around their holiday parks in Weymouth, Waterside Holiday Group has drastically cut the carbon footprint of their sites.
Simple energy saving measures like low energy lighting and insulation have reduced the amount of energy needed to power the parks. Whilst solar panels are providing them with clean, free power.
Board 8: Helping people and planet
Hilfield Friary, Dorchester
Hilfield Friary has been a welcome refuge for people in need since the Franciscan brothers first arrived there in 1921.
Over the past decade, the community at Hilfield has taken substantial steps to protect and enhance the natural world around them.
A move away from fossil fuels for heating, power and transport, and the introduction of energy saving measures in their buildings has led to a substantial reduction in the Friary’s carbon footprint.
Together, the Brothers and Friary residents have proved that even rural communities with hard-to-treat buildings can reach net-zero.
Board 9: The power of print
Print Team, Portland
There are now more printing companies in the UK than there are McDonalds in Western Europe. And whilst steps have been taken to improve the industry’s environmental credentials here in the UK, the sector remains hugely energy intensive.
Which is why the efforts of companies like Print Team to decarbonise, could make a real difference to our county’s footprint.
Solar panels on the roof of Print Team’s customised factory in Portland have nearly halved this small family run company’s carbon footprint. Just think what could be achieved if the whole industry followed suit.
Board 10: Paving the way
Suttles Quarries, Swanage
Quarrying and sustainability are two words that aren’t often heard together. But from their sites in the east of the county, Dorset based quarry firm Suttles has taken giant strides to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
In a bid to decarbonise their operations, this family run firm has swapped power hungry diesel machinery for electric alternatives, and installed swathes of solar panels on their factory roofs to power them.
The project, carried out over phases, took just over 2 years to complete.
Board 11: No better plaice
Harlees Fish & Chips, Verwood
When it comes to thinking outside of the box, Harlees Fish & Chips take first place.
This family run firm didn’t let a broken fryer get in the way of their climate goals. Instead, they used it as an opportunity to speed up their journey to net-zero.
Rather than replace their ageing fryer like-for-like, Harlees took the plunge and invested in a high efficiency replacement range instead. In doing so, they’ve reduced their gas consumption by a third.
And they didn’t stop there. Once they saw the savings that could be made through simple energy efficiency measures, they turned their attention to renewables. By installing as many solar panels as their roof would allow, they’re now tackling emissions from the shop’s lighting and refrigeration.
Board 12: Recharging our greenspaces
Dorset Council’s Greenspace Team, Thorncombe Wood
Behind the vast network of public rights of way, highway verges and council-run nature sites that crisscross our county is a small team of council rangers dedicated to their upkeep.
Until recently, this team has been totally reliant on noisy, heavy, petrol-powered tools to do their jobs. But with advancements in battery technology, Dorset Council made a bold move to swap lots of these dirty fuel guzzlers with clean electric equivalents.
But that’s not all, by installing solar panels on the roofs of depots and country parks, the council can now charge the tools using 100% renewable energy.
Board 13: Staying afloat
Broadmayne First School, Broadmayne
Once a mainstay of schools around the country, rising energy costs and stretched budgets means swimming pools are sadly a thing of the past for many primary schools.
But the Parent Teacher Association of Broadmayne First School found a way to secure the future of their open air pool in a planet friendly way.
By fitting solar panels on its roof, the school now generates the energy it needs to heat and run their pool for free. And when the pool’s not in use, the panels help power the school.
A win for the children, school, and planet.
The photographer
The pictures featured in this exhibition were taken by Nick Bowring, a Dorset based photographer who specialises in environmental portraits.
His unwavering optimism, and the belief that there’s a good portrait inside of everyone, has seen his work appear in publications like Forbes, Endurance Sports and Fitness, CBC News, City AM, Positive News and Manor Magazine.