Dorset Climate and Nature Emergency Response: Strong Progress in Dorset

Dorset Council’s Dorset climate and nature emergency response report reveals outstanding progress in tackling climate change and supporting nature recovery across the county. This latest briefing follows the UK’s warmest spring on record—a sharp reminder of why urgent, sustained action on climate and biodiversity is critical...

Delivering on strategy: emissions, buildings, and plans

As a core part of the Dorset climate and nature emergency response, the Council has made strides delivering its long-term strategy:

• Targets in the 2024–2029 Council Plan include an accelerated net-zero goal.

• Council operations have reduced direct emissions by 31% since 2019 and are on track to hit the 2026 target.

• Across Dorset, emissions fell by over 13% by 2022 compared to 2017.

• Improvements span 120 Council properties, plans for renewables at 50 sites, cleaner fuels, and an expanded electric vehicle fleet.

Planning resilience: nature, transport, and risk

The Dorset climate and nature emergency response includes fresh and forward-thinking draft strategies:

• A Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Local Transport Plan, Workplace Travel Plan.

• Completed climate risk assessment, with a county-wide Climate Adaptation Strategy underway.

• These guide the Council’s multi-pronged, resilient approach.

Community action, funding, and high recycling rates

Image: Solar panels at Hilfield Friary, installed with support from Dorset Council. © Dorset Council

Community and stakeholder involvement underscores the strength of the Dorset climate and nature emergency response:

• Programs like Healthy Homes Dorset, Dorset Solar Together, and Low Carbon Dorset support households and businesses.

• Grants for farmers promote nature-friendly practices and flood mitigation.

• The Climate Ambassadors Network, delivered with the Met Office, engages schools and communities.

• Dorset leads England’s unitary authorities with a 60.5% recycling rate—well above national averages.

• The Council has invested £5.3 million and secured over £25 million in national funding to support these efforts.

Looking ahead: leadership in action

Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council and Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecology, emphasised that the UK’s record-breaking spring is “a wake-up call.” He affirmed that Dorset is “not just responding—we’re leading,” with concrete progress in emissions cuts, community support, and green investment—but pledged, “there’s more to do”. The Council commits to ongoing transparency and partnership to sustain the Dorset climate and nature emergency response.

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