Local Campaigns
A number of groups have been set up locally to support the legislation above. CEE Bill supporters’ groups exist in most constituencies while a Dorset Hub coordinates support for the Green New Deal across Dorset. All can be found on social media platforms.
University Hospital Dorset - Green Plan
One organisation who have considered how policies need to be updated is a local NHS Trust. University Hospital Dorset recognise the climate emergency is a health emergency - unabated it will disrupt care and affect patients and the public at every stage of their lives. With poor environmental health contributing to major diseases, including cardiac problems, asthma and cancer, the Trust's efforts must be accelerated. The Trust will work with their partners to contribute towards better green healthcare approaches, pro-actively improving health and wellbeing of the local population, preventing ill health and health inequalities. The Trust leadership will be crucial in delivering the Plan and in encouraging thousands of staff members to take action.
The target is to achieve net zero carbon for the core business by 2040 (in line with NHS England's carbon neutral target) and for all services by 2045. In 2019/20, core GHG emissions were 16,900 tonnes CO2e; these emissions will need to be reduced by about 1,000 tonnes CO2e per annum to meet the 2040 net zero target. The wider carbon footprint will require reductions of 3,000 tonnes CO2e per annum. The Plan also commits the Trust to deliver against all of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 under the NHS sustainable assessment framework.
For the core target, the Trust aims to derive 100% of energy from renewable sources, embed energy and water efficient technologies and practices throughout the Estate and services and deliver year-on-year reductions in consumption. Progress against the Green Plan will be reported quarterly to senior management and annually to the Board.
A number of groups have been set up locally to support the legislation above. CEE Bill supporters’ groups exist in most constituencies while a Dorset Hub coordinates support for the Green New Deal across Dorset. All can be found on social media platforms.
University Hospital Dorset - Green Plan
One organisation who have considered how policies need to be updated is a local NHS Trust. University Hospital Dorset recognise the climate emergency is a health emergency - unabated it will disrupt care and affect patients and the public at every stage of their lives. With poor environmental health contributing to major diseases, including cardiac problems, asthma and cancer, the Trust's efforts must be accelerated. The Trust will work with their partners to contribute towards better green healthcare approaches, pro-actively improving health and wellbeing of the local population, preventing ill health and health inequalities. The Trust leadership will be crucial in delivering the Plan and in encouraging thousands of staff members to take action.
The target is to achieve net zero carbon for the core business by 2040 (in line with NHS England's carbon neutral target) and for all services by 2045. In 2019/20, core GHG emissions were 16,900 tonnes CO2e; these emissions will need to be reduced by about 1,000 tonnes CO2e per annum to meet the 2040 net zero target. The wider carbon footprint will require reductions of 3,000 tonnes CO2e per annum. The Plan also commits the Trust to deliver against all of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 under the NHS sustainable assessment framework.
For the core target, the Trust aims to derive 100% of energy from renewable sources, embed energy and water efficient technologies and practices throughout the Estate and services and deliver year-on-year reductions in consumption. Progress against the Green Plan will be reported quarterly to senior management and annually to the Board.
Further Information
Other Government Policies & Strategies
Agriculture Bill
The Agriculture Bill sets out how farmers and land managers in England will be rewarded in the future with public money for “public goods” – such as better air and water quality, thriving wildlife, soil health, or measures to reduce flooding and tackle the effects of climate change, under the Environmental Land Management scheme. It is hoped these incentives will provide a powerful vehicle for achieving the goals of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
This new system will replace the poorly targeted Basic Payment Scheme subsidy system, which largely pays farmers for the total amount of land farmed and has skewed payments towards the largest landowners, rather than rewarding farmers for any specific public benefits.
At the same time, the Bill includes measures designed to support our farmers and land managers to boost their productivity, and ultimately maximise the potential of our land to produce high quality food in a more sustainable way.
Heat and Buildings Strategy
There are about 30 million buildings in the UK. Heating these buildings contributes to almost a quarter of all UK emissions. Addressing the carbon emissions produced in heating and powering homes, workplaces and public buildings can not only save money on energy bills and improve lives but can support up to 240,000 skilled green jobs by 2035, boosting the economic recovery. The government acknowledges that the benefits of more efficient, low-carbon buildings for consumers are clear: smarter, better performing buildings, reduced energy bills and healthier, more comfortable environments.
Improving energy efficiency by adopting a fabric-first approach is key in ensuring the transition to low carbon heating is cost-effective and resilient. ‘Fabric-first’ means focusing on installing measures that upgrade the building fabric (e.g. walls/lofts) itself before making changes to the heating system. The aim is for as many homes as possible to achieve EPC band C by 2035 where cost-effective, practical and affordable, and to reduce fuel poverty by ensuring as many fuel poor homes in England, as reasonably practicable, achieve a minimum energy efficiency rating of band C by the end of 2030. The Home Upgrade Grant and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (£1750M over two years from 2022/23) are key in helping low-income households improve their homes and so help to tackle fuel poverty. The new £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme to support households who want to make the switch to low-carbon heat pumps with £5,000 grants (90,000 homes over three years). The government's ambition is to phase out the installation of natural gas boilers beyond 2035.
For new builds new standards will be introduced through legislation (such as Building Regulations) to ensure new homes and buildings will be fitted with low-carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency, so that new buildings do not have to be retrofitted in the future. There will be a consultation on ending new connections to the gas grid from 2026 for homes.
Agriculture Bill
The Agriculture Bill sets out how farmers and land managers in England will be rewarded in the future with public money for “public goods” – such as better air and water quality, thriving wildlife, soil health, or measures to reduce flooding and tackle the effects of climate change, under the Environmental Land Management scheme. It is hoped these incentives will provide a powerful vehicle for achieving the goals of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
This new system will replace the poorly targeted Basic Payment Scheme subsidy system, which largely pays farmers for the total amount of land farmed and has skewed payments towards the largest landowners, rather than rewarding farmers for any specific public benefits.
At the same time, the Bill includes measures designed to support our farmers and land managers to boost their productivity, and ultimately maximise the potential of our land to produce high quality food in a more sustainable way.
Heat and Buildings Strategy
There are about 30 million buildings in the UK. Heating these buildings contributes to almost a quarter of all UK emissions. Addressing the carbon emissions produced in heating and powering homes, workplaces and public buildings can not only save money on energy bills and improve lives but can support up to 240,000 skilled green jobs by 2035, boosting the economic recovery. The government acknowledges that the benefits of more efficient, low-carbon buildings for consumers are clear: smarter, better performing buildings, reduced energy bills and healthier, more comfortable environments.
Improving energy efficiency by adopting a fabric-first approach is key in ensuring the transition to low carbon heating is cost-effective and resilient. ‘Fabric-first’ means focusing on installing measures that upgrade the building fabric (e.g. walls/lofts) itself before making changes to the heating system. The aim is for as many homes as possible to achieve EPC band C by 2035 where cost-effective, practical and affordable, and to reduce fuel poverty by ensuring as many fuel poor homes in England, as reasonably practicable, achieve a minimum energy efficiency rating of band C by the end of 2030. The Home Upgrade Grant and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (£1750M over two years from 2022/23) are key in helping low-income households improve their homes and so help to tackle fuel poverty. The new £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme to support households who want to make the switch to low-carbon heat pumps with £5,000 grants (90,000 homes over three years). The government's ambition is to phase out the installation of natural gas boilers beyond 2035.
For new builds new standards will be introduced through legislation (such as Building Regulations) to ensure new homes and buildings will be fitted with low-carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency, so that new buildings do not have to be retrofitted in the future. There will be a consultation on ending new connections to the gas grid from 2026 for homes.
The UK Government's new Net Zero Strategy sets out for the first time how the Government intends to halve UK emissions in little over a decade, and to eliminate them by 2050. Building on the Prime Minister's 10 Point Plan, the strategy sets out a comprehensive economy-wide plan for how British businesses and consumers will be supported in making the transition to clean energy and green technology - lowering Britian's reliance on fossil fuels by investing in sustainable clean energy in the UK, reducing the risk of high and volatile prices in the future, and strengthening our energy security.
The commitments made aim to unlock up to £90 billion of private investment by 2030, and support 440,000 well-paid jobs in green industries in 2030. The low carbon energy system depends on overall energy demands reducing significantly. This means all demand sectors becoming far more efficient, through adoption of new technologies, better energy management, and direct investment in energy efficiency measures.
On behaviour change, the government is advocating an approach that goes with the grain of consumer behaviour and maximises consumer choice, aiming to ensure a smooth and gradual transition for households and businesses. No one will be required to rip out their existing boiler or scrap their current car.
The independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) concluded that Net Zero Strategy is a genuine step forward. The UK was the first major industrialised nation to set Net Zero into law - now there are policy plans to get there. However, the CCC identified a number of gaps that now need to be addressed as quickly as possible.
The commitments made aim to unlock up to £90 billion of private investment by 2030, and support 440,000 well-paid jobs in green industries in 2030. The low carbon energy system depends on overall energy demands reducing significantly. This means all demand sectors becoming far more efficient, through adoption of new technologies, better energy management, and direct investment in energy efficiency measures.
On behaviour change, the government is advocating an approach that goes with the grain of consumer behaviour and maximises consumer choice, aiming to ensure a smooth and gradual transition for households and businesses. No one will be required to rip out their existing boiler or scrap their current car.
The independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) concluded that Net Zero Strategy is a genuine step forward. The UK was the first major industrialised nation to set Net Zero into law - now there are policy plans to get there. However, the CCC identified a number of gaps that now need to be addressed as quickly as possible.
Notes
Responses based on the information published on Town Council websites. DC = Dorset Council
? = no date given on website for achieving new zero emissions
Responses based on the information published on Town Council websites. DC = Dorset Council
? = no date given on website for achieving new zero emissions