Following May's council elections, Dorset Council has launched ‘A Big Conversation’ and want to hear from residents on what you think the council should focus on over the next 5 years, across 4 main areas: 

• growing our economy
• providing high quality housing
• responding to the climate crisis 
• supporting communities for all

A decision on the controversial waste to energy incinerator is due after the new Parliament's summer recess. Campaigners at Stop Portland Waste Incinerator have asked residents to write to their MP to express their concerns and to complete the online Final Consultation which closes on 11th August.
Further information can be obtained from [email protected] 

Let all the candidates in your constituency know you expect them to act on climate change. With this simple online form from the The Climate Coalition you can ask your local parliamentary candidates to commit to work together with other politicians and their constituents to tackle climate change, restore nature and support the hardest hit by climate change. "The more emails your candidates receive, the less they’ll be able to ignore that people in their constituency want to see them commit to urgent action".
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With the General Election only weeks away, our movement is mobilising to put climate on the agenda in the run-up to polling day on 4th July.
 
To help you navigate the issues, advocate for climate justice and make sure your voice is heard on polling day, the Climate Justice Coalition have  launched a General Election Info Hub. On it you'll find news of campaigns, letter templates for candidates and much more to make sure this issue get the prominence it deserves.

After the success of last year's, first ever, community-led COP in Dorchester, we're back for 2024 on Saturday 2nd November at Bournemouth University. This year there's even more opportunity for the community to shape the event. We are inviting any local groups who would like to lead a session, which is broadly in line with our aims, to submit a proposal for consideration. For more info see the webpage and download the application form here.

Campaign group 350.org have announced the success of two key campaigns they have been involved in.

​The first of these saw the UK leave the Energy Charter Treaty, something that would have enabled corporations to sue countries for taking climate action. While the second saw rich countries finally agree to get to work on loss and damage funds.

A clear lesson that campaigning can work!

Two of Dorset's major campaign groups have joined forces to request an urgent meeting with Dorset Council after the council delayed publication of their Local Plan by another year.

They have also asked Dorset Council for a public commitment that the new draft Local Plan will reflect the priorities clearly called for by communities in response to the Council’s first draft Plan.

More....

The Climate Coalition have launched an open letter for community groups that calls on party leaders to commit to meeting our national and international commitments to tackle the climate and nature crises, and to be part of a national conversation with the UK public. In this election year, we need to show that people up and down the country believe this is not the time to water down climate commitments or slow the pace of action.
We need your support in getting community groups to sign the letter and demonstrate the public mandate for climate action. 

If you live in Mid-Dorset and North Poole did you know that 91% of constituents support local renewable energy projects, including 90% who support onshore wind! Did you also know that your local MP does not support a ban on fracking and voted against loss and damage measures?

All this, and much more can be found on the Climate Coalitions Local Intelligence Hub launched today as part of their Show Your Love campaign.

As they point out "We know there is a clear public mandate for urgent action on the climate and nature crises. The Local Intelligence Hub showcases the data to back this up and empowers individuals to have informed conversations with their neighbours, networks and local decision makers"

​BCP and Dorset Council have launched a consultation on what the future of a more sustainable transport future should look like.  

​ZCD urges residents to take this opportunity to shape the Plan, as more sustainable transport is key to a net zero future.  The survey closes on 3rd March 2024. In 2021 (the latest data available), transport emissions across the county rose again following the pandemic, accounting for nearly a third of all emissions.  You can find out about the solutions to a more sustainable travel future in our Dorset 2030 reports