Council speeds up efforts to tackle climate and nature crisis

Dorset Council is set to unveil plans on how it will achieve ambitious new climate and nature goals at the meeting of its Place and Resources Overview Committee next week.

The adoption of the Dorset Council Plan last month saw the council identify the climate and nature crisis as 1 of 4 key priorities, with a clear commitment to speed up efforts to become a more climate and nature friendly county.

In a bold move, the council has brought forward its net-zero targets by 5 years and is now aiming to become a carbon neutral council by 2035 and county by 2045. Originally set in 2020 under the previous administration, these targets have been revised in response to growing national and international concerns around the urgency of tackling climate change and halting nature loss.

To meet the new targets, the council will need to drastically cut its use of fossil fuels by 2035. Plans to do this include transitioning from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric alternatives, making council buildings and schools greener, and exploring opportunities to generate more renewable energy on council-owned land.

The council is also set to play a big role in helping the wider county reduce carbon emissions by 2045. This will involve securing extra funding for green initiatives, collaborating more closely with partners and communities, and developing strategies and policies to guide the county towards a greener future.

Cllr. Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council and Cabinet Member for Climate, said:

“As a rural, coastal county, it is crucial that we act now to address the climate and nature emergencies to protect the lives, livelihoods and ecosystems of Dorset’s current and future generations.

“Climate change and nature loss are huge global and national issues, but many of the solutions can be found locally. By acting now, we can build stronger, more resilient communities, drive growth in our local economy, and help nature thrive in Dorset.”

A key component in tackling the nature crisis in the county will be the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a co-produced plan aimed at restoring and enhancing nature across Dorset. The first draft of the plan will also be presented to the committee next week, with public consultations set to take place in the spring.

To find out more about how the council is tackling climate change and nature loss in the county, visit the Dorset Council website.