DORSET Council has unveiled its climate and ecological emergency plan, including 187 actions it plans to take to tackle climate change over the next 20-30 years - but there are concerns the moves do not go far enough.

Having declared a climate and ecological emergency in May 2019 – following pressure from groups including Extinction Rebellion – the council has published the plan detailing steps it will take to become carbon neutral by 2040.

Almost 100 of the 187 actions it has detailed will require additional funding, totalling roughly £127 million.

Key plans include constructing or buying into renewable energy installations in the form of solar or wind turbines, reducing the use of fertilisers on council land by increasing the use of locally produced compost, and establishing a policy to ensure all new buildings under Dorset Council influence are zero carbon.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "From the very start of this process, I said we would work hard to ensure that both our strategy and action plan for the climate and ecological emergency were ambitious, exciting and realistic.

"Now that these have been fully drafted, I'm proud to present them as a true demonstration of how seriously we are taking our responsibilities toward tackling climate change.

"There are some quick-wins within the plan that we’ll be looking to get in place as soon as possible, but there are also hugely ambitious actions – especially regarding renewable energy – that I’m excited to hear what the public think about.

"Some actions just need us to change how we do things, but others will require extra funding, changes in government legislation and close partnership working."

However, Giovanna Lewis, a Portland town councillor and passionate environmental campaigner, fears the plans do not go far enough. She said: "After reading the draft plans I could see that Dorset Council has not been courageous enough.

"Other councils of that size have been much more ambitious and we would like to see greater plans from Dorset Council to use more credible electricity providers and more renewable energy."

The plan will be discussed by the cabinet on October 6.

For more information, visit the Dorset Council website.

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