Key Findings
In early November, to coincide with COP26 in Glasgow, we released a Preliminary Report outlining our most significant findings to date and setting out some key objectives for each area.
Our summary in this was, and remains, that while there are some really encouraging actions (led by both Councils, individuals, community groups and businesses) we are nowhere near the level of action required to address the issues we face.
Common ThemesAhead of COP26, there were a number of new Government policy announcements. Where possible we have commented on these but others may be announced before we can fully analyse and comment on them. To date they appear to reflect the independent Committee on Climate Change’s previous assessments that Government actions typically remain too little and too late.
More than 120, Dorset based, innovative case-studies have already been identified across every aspect and every part of the county showing what can be achieved. These reflect people’s passion to act locally in the absence of a coordinated central policy agenda. A similar number of directly relevant examples from across the UK and Europe have also been included. These confirm we have all the knowledge and technology we need; but we need to deploy these at pace.
In common with most of the western world, there is an unnatural separation and disconnect between our daily lives and the natural environment and our energy needs. The latter may be understandable given the historic reliance on power generated elsewhere. However, with so much natural land and such a large farming presence in the county it is disappointing that we appear to fair no better with regard to understanding our food chain or the impact our daily activities are having on the wider environment.
Current AssessmentBased on analysis to date, across 7 key areas, we believe the assessment rates at 12 out of 35 (the score for each area is shown below). We have chosen not to score the areas of Justice, Policies, Adaptation and Offsetting for this first report; choosing to focus on areas which can be more readily quantified.
Since we released the Preliminary Report however there have been two notable developments at Council level.
Further progress has been made in respect of Transforming Travel (see Travel Better chapter), in particular the completion of a number of new cycle lanes in the BCP area. The on-going progress of this programme is to be commended.
Secondly, on November 5, 2021, Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment for Dorset Council wrote to Central Government asking them to “Help us tackle the climate emergency”. In this letter Cllr Bryan highlights that while they are pleased with their progress as a Council the “uncomfortable truth” is “it won’t be enough” and calls on the Government for “more money and better support from central government in dealing with the CEE”. Highlighting four key areas (removing hurdles for renewable energy deployment, changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, investment in sustainable travel and stronger support for digital infrastructure and flexible working) Cllr Bryan’s statement is an encouraging sign of how our Councils can lead on this issue.
In early November, to coincide with COP26 in Glasgow, we released a Preliminary Report outlining our most significant findings to date and setting out some key objectives for each area.
Our summary in this was, and remains, that while there are some really encouraging actions (led by both Councils, individuals, community groups and businesses) we are nowhere near the level of action required to address the issues we face.
Common ThemesAhead of COP26, there were a number of new Government policy announcements. Where possible we have commented on these but others may be announced before we can fully analyse and comment on them. To date they appear to reflect the independent Committee on Climate Change’s previous assessments that Government actions typically remain too little and too late.
More than 120, Dorset based, innovative case-studies have already been identified across every aspect and every part of the county showing what can be achieved. These reflect people’s passion to act locally in the absence of a coordinated central policy agenda. A similar number of directly relevant examples from across the UK and Europe have also been included. These confirm we have all the knowledge and technology we need; but we need to deploy these at pace.
In common with most of the western world, there is an unnatural separation and disconnect between our daily lives and the natural environment and our energy needs. The latter may be understandable given the historic reliance on power generated elsewhere. However, with so much natural land and such a large farming presence in the county it is disappointing that we appear to fair no better with regard to understanding our food chain or the impact our daily activities are having on the wider environment.
Current AssessmentBased on analysis to date, across 7 key areas, we believe the assessment rates at 12 out of 35 (the score for each area is shown below). We have chosen not to score the areas of Justice, Policies, Adaptation and Offsetting for this first report; choosing to focus on areas which can be more readily quantified.
Since we released the Preliminary Report however there have been two notable developments at Council level.
Further progress has been made in respect of Transforming Travel (see Travel Better chapter), in particular the completion of a number of new cycle lanes in the BCP area. The on-going progress of this programme is to be commended.
Secondly, on November 5, 2021, Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment for Dorset Council wrote to Central Government asking them to “Help us tackle the climate emergency”. In this letter Cllr Bryan highlights that while they are pleased with their progress as a Council the “uncomfortable truth” is “it won’t be enough” and calls on the Government for “more money and better support from central government in dealing with the CEE”. Highlighting four key areas (removing hurdles for renewable energy deployment, changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, investment in sustainable travel and stronger support for digital infrastructure and flexible working) Cllr Bryan’s statement is an encouraging sign of how our Councils can lead on this issue.
Figure 10. Assessment Score by Area
Despite these two developments above we believe our overall assessment ratings (as set out above in Figure 10), and totalling just 12 out of 35, remain a fair reflection of where we are against making the transformative change this report sets out.
National ActionAlongside the objectives for Dorset quoted in the Preliminary Report (and expanded further in this full version) we highlighted a set of national actions needed to address the climate and ecological crises. These are quoted below for reference.
Learning from the pandemicThe report has been compiled during another global crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, this has provided some useful learning points for the issues considered here.
ConclusionWhile we acknowledge the limitations of the Council’s finances and spheres of influence, in most areas there is evidence of where both could be taking a leading role in addressing issues but are not yet. Encouragingly many of the solutions required are already in their CEE plans but disappointingly many of these have yet to result in any action. Both Councils need to act like this is the emergency they have declared. Communications are currently too limited, appear to be treated as a side issue and do not reflect the scale of community engagement required.
A number of Dorset organisations are ahead of the game in their awareness of the climate and ecological crises and have detailed plans to address them. In particular we have been able to include numerous case studies from the likes of Lush Cosmetics and Bournemouth University (who recently won the DataPoints Merit Award trophy at the 17th annual Times Higher Education Awards 2021 and received a commendation for research). There are also many community groups around the county who are taking effective action to improve their local environment and it is vital for the Councils to work with them to tackle the crisis, developing a wider comprehensive plan that gets us to net zero. We have noted the power of storytelling throughout the collation of information for this report. We aim to make this central to the project going forwards.
We recognise achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2030 will require all of us to take urgent and sustained action and will need the same leadership and action shown during, and after, the Second World War. However, the pandemic has shown that, when faced with an emergency, we are more than capable of responding rapidly to bring about change, as well as showing us the critical value and joy the natural world brings to our health and wellbeing.
The climate and ecological crises we face can seem overwhelming, creating a sense that individuals can do little to solve it. Throughout this report our aim has been to clearly set out why this is a real emergency while also highlighting that we already have the necessary solutions and, by sharing more than 120 positive case studies from across the county, demonstrate how many of these are already being deployed. We now need to scale these at pace to avert the worst of the crisis.
We have also shown how by abandoning business-as-usual and building a new way of doing things we can create a healthier, happier and more inclusive society for all; centred around a circular, green economy with well-paid, skilled jobs. We hope our vision statements provide an idea of what this might look like and invite everyone to join the conversation to enhance these and bring them to life.
We hope the report inspires everyone to do something, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem; we hope many will join us on this journey by taking collective action with others in your community.
We’ll continue to monitor progress and collate positive stories and look forward to continuing the conversation and championing a vision for Dorset 2030.
National ActionAlongside the objectives for Dorset quoted in the Preliminary Report (and expanded further in this full version) we highlighted a set of national actions needed to address the climate and ecological crises. These are quoted below for reference.
- Support a nationwide programme to insulate the UK’s housing stock, allowing us to power down our energy needs
- Phase out fossil fuels fast. Stop all subsidies to fossil fuels. Stop all fracking now. Stop Burning Coal. Invest in renewable energy, including on-shore and off-shore wind, powering up our clean energy supply
- Invest in joined-up affordable public transport and in better infrastructure for walking and cycling. Cut flights through a frequent flyer levy – and scrap the third runway at Heathrow.
- Move from linear to circular economy model to keep materials in use for as long as possible. Develop consumer behaviours around refuse > reduce > reuse > recycle.
- Radically increase UK tree cover and enhance other nature-based solutions like soils and peatlands
- Transform agricultural subsidies to support a food system that is good for the environment and our health
- Invest in the creation of green jobs and provide funding for training in skills for the future.
Learning from the pandemicThe report has been compiled during another global crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, this has provided some useful learning points for the issues considered here.
- We know what an emergency feels like.
- We can respond extremely rapidly, developing and deploying solutions at pace and at scale.
- People are prepared to make difficult choices when the reasons are properly explained to them.
- It is possible for many people to work from home.
- Governments can raise money when they need to.
- Communities will pull together in a crisis.
- Public organisations can deliver effective solutions (NHS > Vaccine). Markets often fail (Contractors > PPE, Test and Trace).
- Many people have recognised the benefits of reconnecting with nature and their local area.
ConclusionWhile we acknowledge the limitations of the Council’s finances and spheres of influence, in most areas there is evidence of where both could be taking a leading role in addressing issues but are not yet. Encouragingly many of the solutions required are already in their CEE plans but disappointingly many of these have yet to result in any action. Both Councils need to act like this is the emergency they have declared. Communications are currently too limited, appear to be treated as a side issue and do not reflect the scale of community engagement required.
A number of Dorset organisations are ahead of the game in their awareness of the climate and ecological crises and have detailed plans to address them. In particular we have been able to include numerous case studies from the likes of Lush Cosmetics and Bournemouth University (who recently won the DataPoints Merit Award trophy at the 17th annual Times Higher Education Awards 2021 and received a commendation for research). There are also many community groups around the county who are taking effective action to improve their local environment and it is vital for the Councils to work with them to tackle the crisis, developing a wider comprehensive plan that gets us to net zero. We have noted the power of storytelling throughout the collation of information for this report. We aim to make this central to the project going forwards.
We recognise achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2030 will require all of us to take urgent and sustained action and will need the same leadership and action shown during, and after, the Second World War. However, the pandemic has shown that, when faced with an emergency, we are more than capable of responding rapidly to bring about change, as well as showing us the critical value and joy the natural world brings to our health and wellbeing.
The climate and ecological crises we face can seem overwhelming, creating a sense that individuals can do little to solve it. Throughout this report our aim has been to clearly set out why this is a real emergency while also highlighting that we already have the necessary solutions and, by sharing more than 120 positive case studies from across the county, demonstrate how many of these are already being deployed. We now need to scale these at pace to avert the worst of the crisis.
We have also shown how by abandoning business-as-usual and building a new way of doing things we can create a healthier, happier and more inclusive society for all; centred around a circular, green economy with well-paid, skilled jobs. We hope our vision statements provide an idea of what this might look like and invite everyone to join the conversation to enhance these and bring them to life.
We hope the report inspires everyone to do something, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem; we hope many will join us on this journey by taking collective action with others in your community.
We’ll continue to monitor progress and collate positive stories and look forward to continuing the conversation and championing a vision for Dorset 2030.