Efforts to tackle climate change by local organisations in Dorset are being showcased in a new photo exhibition.

Local business and community groups throughout the county joined Dorset Council to launch a new photo exhibition that celebrates the steps organisations are taking to help tackle the issue.

The exhibition will tour throughout the county this summer.

The pictures featured in the exhibition were taken by Nick Bowring, a Dorset based photographer who specialises in environmental portraits.

The ‘Our Journey to Net Zero’ exhibition features a collection of inspiring images that tell the stories of local organisations which, with the help of the council’s Low Carbon Dorset programme, are helping reduce the county’s carbon footprint.

Since starting in 2018, Low Carbon Dorset has given out £6.2million in grants and helped over 500 businesses, community groups and public-sector organisations to reduce emissions. 

READ: Buildings work to help Dorset Council become carbon neutral
 

Councillor Nick Ireland, Dorset Council’s new leader and cabinet member for climate change and environment, said: “As a council, we are committed to addressing climate change.  And we recognise that we have an important role to play in driving our county towards net zero.

“Through our Low Carbon Dorset programme, we’ve now helped hundreds of organisations reduce their carbon footprints. 

"This exhibition is a great way to celebrate what these organisations have achieved and inspire others to follow suit.”

Thirteen Dorset based organisations feature in the new exhibition, each telling their own story of how they’re cutting emissions and becoming more sustainable.

READ: Dorset Council wins top money-saving environmental award

This includes Sherbone Abbey  with a cluster of heat pumps producing renewable heat for the hall below, Kingston Maurward near Dorchester and its heating scheme using ground source heat pumps which has eliminated its need for oil, and Waterside Holiday Park in Weymouth  which has installed low energy lighting and insulation and solar panels, providing it with clean, free power.

Elsewhere in the county Hilfield Friary near Dorchester has moved away from fossil fuels for heating, power and transport, and the introduction of energy saving measures in its buildings has led to a substantial reduction in its carbon footprint.

The installation of solar panels at Print Team on Portland has helped the family-run business to halve its carbon footprint as well. 

Other businesses around Dorset to feature in the exhibition are Broadmayne First School, Blandford Town Museum, Canford Renewable Energy, Wimborne, the Washingpool Farm Shop and Hazelmead Eco Development in Bridport, Suttles Quarries, Swanage, Harlees Fish & Chips from Verwood and the Dorset Council greenspace team in Thorncombe Wood.

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The exhibition is free to visit and will be touring the county throughout the summer and is currently in the Belvedere room at Durlston Country Park.

It will also be on display at Bridport Arts Centre from July 9 to 19 and Sherborne Abbey from August 19 to 25.

Dates at Weymouth Library, Jubilee Pavilion in Lyme Regis and Dorset History Centre in Dorchester have yet to be confirmed.