Addressing the climate and nature emergencies is vital for current and future generations: to protect lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Whilst this is a huge global and national challenge, many solutions are local. Dorset has a role to play in helping tackle climate change and support nature recovery. In doing so, we can strengthen community resilience and stimulate economic growth.
The challenge
Climate change
Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing the world today, demanding immediate and decisive action. Rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and wildfires. And sea levels are rising at a rate three times faster than a century ago.
As a rural, coastal county we are especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change, which will include more frequent heatwaves, fewer frost days, heavier rainfall, increased flooding, and more intense storms. Our seaside communities are particularly exposed to rising sea levels which can lead to coastal erosion, flooding, and damage to infrastructure. Our rural communities risk being impacted by unpredictable weather patterns which can harm crops and livestock, disrupt planting and harvesting schedules, and reduce overall agricultural productivity.
But, by taking the right actions now, we can help address climate change and ensure a safer, more resilient Dorset for future generations.
Nature crisis
The UK is facing a nature crisis, now ranking as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with nearly 1 in 6 species threatened with extinction. Unfortunately, here in Dorset we’re no exception. Over the years, many areas for nature in our county have been split up or lost, leading to a decline in local wildlife. More than 3,000 species of plants and animals in Dorset are now of conservation concern, meaning they are rare, threatened, protected, declining or extinct.
But this loss of natural spaces doesn’t just affect wildlife - it impacts us too. Our green spaces, which are essential for our health and wellbeing, also provide critical nature-based solutions to pressing challenges like flood protection, climate change, and water quality.
By taking action today to restore and expand spaces for nature, we can help build and protect homes for wildlife and ensure a healthier, more resilient future for both nature and our communities.
Our approach
Our vision is to create a climate friendly, nature rich county that is able to adapt and thrive in the face of environmental change.
Our strategic approach to bring this vision to life is as follows:
- Cutting greenhouse gas emissions: We will speed up our efforts to become a carbon neutral county and council, bringing forward our net zero targets by 5 years. As a council we aim to reach net zero by 2035, and the entire county by 2045. By tackling climate change at its source, we can help pave the way for a more sustainable future.
- Halt nature’s decline: In collaboration with others, we will take immediate action to help protect and enhance our land, rivers, and seas for wildlife. Through Dorset’s Local Nature Recovery strategy, we will set clear goals and build a strong foundation to help make sure spaces for nature are bigger, better and more connected in our county by 2030.
- Prepare for a changing climate: We are committed to helping our communities, ecosystems, and economies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, ensuring Dorset is resilient and well-prepared for the future.
Target measures
- deliver a revised carbon reduction target of 80% from 2019 baseline by 2030 to include:
- Dorset Council fleet: transition all small vehicles to electric by 2030 and all large vehicles to use alternative low emission fuels by 2026 to reduce our fleet emissions by 70% by 2026
- generate more of our own energy by installing an additional 5MW of solar PV on our estate by 2030
- switch all our oil-fired heating systems to non-fossil fuel alternatives by 2028
- reduce our emissions from staff travelling for business by at least 25% by 2029
- ensure our services are resilient to climate change by having climate adaptation plans for each service by March 2026
- achieve a 65% recycling and composting rate by 2035 and ensure the optimum use of the recycling and composting services provided
- nature recovery target is for 30% of our land to be in positive management for nature by 2030. Other targets include:
- 80% of our urban verges will be managed to enhance their value for nature by 2030 (currently 50%)
- improve 300 miles of the Rights of Way network, making it more accessible to connect people’s access to nature by 2030 (30 miles in last 10 years)
- 70% of our county farms land will be managed using sustainable farming practices that balance food production and nature by 2030 (currently 5%)
- 15,000 hectares of Dorset are covered by Landscape Recovery management agreements by 2030 (currently 0 hectares)
Key actions to deliver this priority
- reduce Dorset’s impact on climate change by:
- significantly reducing emissions from our fleet vehicles by transitioning all small vehicles to electric by 2030 and all large vehicles to alternative low emission fuels by 2025
- generating more of our own energy by installing an additional 5MW of solar PV on our estate by 2030
- working with others to create a roadmap to help Dorset meet its net-zero goals, identifying the most cost-effective and practical pathways to reduce emissions
- helping residents and organisations to improve energy efficiency and use renewable energy in their homes and buildings through advice, grants and guidance
- develop and implement the Local Nature Recovery strategy, working across organisational systems to deliver change at scale
- renew the rights of way improvement plan (ROWIP) which explains the aspirations and improvements proposed for Dorset’s public rights of way network to benefit the community, nature and climate and support the local economy
- help communities adapt for climate change impacts and recover nature, working with town and parish councils and other partners
- ensure our services are resilient to climate change by having climate adaptation plans for each service by March 2026
Leadership and partnership
- work with partners across Dorset to help reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 (relative to our 2017 baseline)
- support all Dorset public sector organisations to develop climate resilience plans by 2026
- produce a strategy setting out how Dorset will adapt and become more resilient to climate change by 2026
- work with the farming community to support sustainable farming which will reduce emissions, improve water quality and make more space for nature
- work with water companies to improve water quality and reduce pollution of rivers and the sea
- lead on the development and implementation of the Dorset Local Nature Recovery strategy
- support landowners, town and parish councils, businesses, schools and communities to take action to recover nature locally
- support the Dorset and Cranborne Chase National Landscape Partnerships in their nature recovery as set out in their apportionment of the Protected Landscapes Targets & Outcomes Framework
- continued support of the Dorset Coast Forum and Litter Free Dorset to deliver sustainable practices and nature recovery through their wide partnerships and to the communities of Dorset
- ensure over time that the businesses and organisations we have contracts with provide nature recovery and sustainability credentials as a matter of course
- work with partners to develop a Local Area Energy plan
Standing up for Dorset
- influence government for increased focus on retrofitting homes
- make the case for increased investment into our electricity grid system
- call on pharmaceutical companies to take more responsibility for waste
- make representations to government to invest in Dorset Local Nature Recovery strategy (LNRS) implementation
- ask for new nature funds to deliver the LNRS with Farming in Protected Landscapes an effective delivery model to copy
- work with farmers to support their asks to government around supporting sustainable farming in Dorset
- ask government for more investment in sustainable transport infrastructure