2050 Climate Action Plan

A draft action plan was submitted to Council in December 2019, outlining actions that they could make with their partner organisations, local businesses and residents to reduce their collective carbon emissions. They are working to eliminate their carbon footprint by 2030, but they need everyone to help the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area become carbon neutral before 2050.

The draft 2050 Climate Action Plan sets out the area-wide actions that they propose will contribute to tackling the Climate and Ecological Emergency. However, they can’t deliver them all at once, which is why they'd like to hear from you. They want to know what is important to you and they need your help to identify the top priorities that they should focus on first.

If you to be a part of the conversation, complete their online survey and contribute to the ideas board. This is an ideal opportunity for you to be involved, tell them your thoughts and help shape the sustainable future of our beautiful area.

Why are they taking action?

Each day seems to bring new evidence that our activities as humans are causing the planet to get warmer. This is causing changes to our climate that will be extremely harmful to our future if they don't act now.

On 16 July 2019 they took the decision to declare a climate and ecological emergency. This commits us and all our operations to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area by 2050. In order to do this, everyone will need to play their part in doing things differently in order to create a better, more sustainable future for us all.

The impact of Covid-19

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, everyday life has changed for us all. Early 2020 saw the largest ever recorded global reduction in atmospheric CO₂. This was due to the COVID-19 measures imposed in the UK and abroad which limited the use of cars, vans and other polluting vehicles significantly. They were all disappointed that large public events were postponed, international travel cancelled, and manufacturing of non-essential items suspended. However business travel, commuting and personal trips were reduced and many people had more time to enjoy nature, grow food and improve local habitats.

The pandemic has also had a negative impact on their planned activity. Climate action plans have been disrupted and activities halted, delaying projects to achieve their carbon-neutral targets.

The government has said that now is the time to plan for a ‘green recovery’ in order to protect both people and the planet. Their draft 2050 Climate Action Plan will help make this happen through increasing cycling and walking, using energy wisely and creating jobs in clean, green industries. They want to hear from you and what you think about their plan in the light of COVID-19.

Have your say

They want you to be involved in their climate action conversation as they move towards their target. Their consultation survey(External link) asks about your views on climate change and asks which actions should be prioritised to help them move towards their target. The survey is open until 1 March 2021.