Buildings work to help Dorset Council become carbon neutral

A report published this week says that the steps taken so far have seen carbon emissions from council-owned buildings reduce by over 20 per cent in just one year – but warns that progress is now slipping.

A Government grant of £19 million has paid for the council to fit solar panels and heat pumps to around 200 of its buildings, along with low energy lighting and other measures.

The retro-fit programme has included council offices at a number of different locations as well as libraries and leisure centres.

The report, which monitors the progress Dorset Council is making towards its climate goals, shows that emissions from other areas of the council have also reduced since monitoring began, and it is making what it describes as “good overall progress” towards its 2040 zero-carbon total target.

But the report also warns that some areas are beginning to slip as people resume activities which had reduced during the Covid period.

Said the report: “Last year we reported a significant reduction in emissions reflecting the Covid pandemic. This year emissions have risen by approximately 6% as patterns of travel and economic activity begin to return post pandemic. This is a significant deviation from the emission profile we would need to follow for Dorset’s share towards the national and international targets of maintaining global temperature rise to below 1.5 degree C.”

The report to councillors claims that the authority has reduced its carbon footprint by 27% since it declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019.

Some councillors have begun to question the authority’s spending on climate and ecological actions.

At a recent council meeting Swanage councillor Bill Trite (Con) warned that the council needs to be able to prove that the level of spending is justified and will bring the returns wished for.

The report to the place and resources scrutiny this Thursday says the council’s efforts will need to be strengthened in areas like travel if it is to remain on track to become carbon neutral by 2040.

Said Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment: “It is really encouraging to see that the council has continued to reduce carbon emissions and avoided a bounce back to pre-pandemic levels.

“But if we are to remain on track, it is critical that we maintain and strengthen efforts to drive down emissions both within the council and across the wider county.

“This report clearly shows that taking steps now to cut emissions is not only the right thing to do for our planet, but also makes good financial sense.

“I strongly urge residents who haven’t already done so to contact our Healthy Homes Dorset programme to see what support is available to help them take similar steps in their homes.”

National data shows that emissions across the wider Dorset Council area have reduced overall since 2019, but the last reporting year saw them begin to rise again.  Similar rises have been seen across the country, as patterns of travel and economic activity return to normal post pandemic.

The council’s Natural Environment, Climate and Ecology Progress Report can be read in full here.

More information on what the council is doing to tackle climate change and improve nature along with the steps residents can take can be found on the Dorset Council website.

For more information on the support available to help households reduce emissions and lower energy bills, residents should visit the Healthy Homes Dorset website.