Dorset climate plan starts to take shape
By Shaun Moore·A Dorset-wide plan is being developed to help local areas prepare for climate risks.
The strategy will cover Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as well as the Dorset Council area, with partners looking at how flooding, heatwaves, drought and coastal erosion could affect communities, businesses, public services, infrastructure and the environment.
The work will include an assessment of places, infrastructure and services that people rely on, using local knowledge, evidence and expertise to identify practical actions for now and longer term opportunities for the future.
Councillor Nick Ireland, Dorset Council’s leader and cabinet member for climate, said communities were already seeing flooding, coastal change, extreme weather and hotter summers, adding: “No single organisation can tackle these challenges alone.”
BCP Council climate lead Councillor Andy Hadley said the impacts “do not stop at council boundaries” and called for residents, businesses and organisations to help shape the priorities over the coming months.
Feedback will be used to shape the final Dorset Climate Adaptation Strategy, which is expected to guide coordinated work on climate risks across the county once it has been completed.
