Dorset named as 'greenest region' in England in new study

Green energy providers 100Green created a study to determine which areas in England lead the greenest lifestyles.

Regions were ranked by factors including solar panel installations, household recycling rates, garden size, electricity consumption and battery powered car registrations.

Out of a potential score of 100, Dorset obtained a rating of 74, topping the list. 

Dorset Councillor Nick Ireland, who represents Crossways, said he was delighted by this achievement as it showcases the county's commitment towards tackling climate change. 

He said: "It is gratifying that 100Green have acknowledged the hard work our officers have put in to make Dorset the greenest region in their survey.

"Dorset Council’s first climate and ecology strategy and action plan were adopted by Full Council on July 15 2021, setting clear targets towards a carbon neutral council by 2040 and a carbon neutral county by 2050.

"Delivery of our programme has continued to demonstrate our commitment to a net zero, nature positive and resilient Dorset."

The East Midlands region of Rutland came just behind Dorset with 73 points out of 100, this was followed by Shropshire (65/100), East Sussex (64/100) and the Isle of Wight (63/100).

The study also revealed that Dorset residents were the best recyclers in England, with 59 per cent of their household waste going to recycling collections. The region was followed by Oxfordshire with 58.5 per cent recycled and then Surrey with 54 per cent recycled. 

Earlier this year Dorset Council was named as the best unitary authority for recycling by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for 2022/23.

Dave Taylor, of Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter project, regularly does litter picks on Weymouth beach and finds the majority of rubbish discarded can actually be recycled.

While he says it's good for Dorset to come first in this list, he stresses that more work needs to be done to protect the environment. 

Dave Taylor runs Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project and regularly does litter picks on Weymouth beach (Image: Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project) He adds that this is particularly the case due to plans to build a waste incinerator on Portland which was found to be "just as polluting as burning coal" in a recent BBC investigation. 

READ MORE: Campaigners' legal action against Portland waste incinerator

He said: "Whilst household recycling rates are high as a holiday destination we generate a lot of litter and waste collected from beaches and other tourist destinations which isn't recycled and is something we are working to address.

"On a positive note being a coastal and fairly rural county the residents generally feel a connection to the environment and are keen to protect it.

"Dorset also has fairly ageing population and we have found those who are over 45 are far more engaged in environmental matters despite having less to fear from long term issues such as climate change.

"Hopefully the spectre of the planned incinerator looming over the area will make people even more aware of environmental issues and keep Dorset #1 for years to come."