Our climate and ecological emergency declaration

We declared a climate and ecological emergency on 16 July 2019. This means we pledged to make BCP Council and its operations carbon neutral by 2030, and to work with the wider community to look at how early the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region can be made carbon neutral, ahead of the UK target of 2050.

We are one of 5 UK towns and cities praised as global climate leaders by carbon disclosure charity CDP on their ‘Cities A-List’.

We also purchased green electricity from renewable sources for all our buildings and streetlights, saving over 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

Our achievements so far:

We incorporated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into our Corporate Strategy.

We have improved the safety of cyclists and walkers at key transport locations using the £312k Government Emergency Active Travel grant.

We have incorporated sustainable procurement in BCP Council’s new financial regulations.

The Beryl Bikes scheme allowed key workers free use of sustainable transport during the pandemic, with 1000 essential journeys made.

As of July 2020, 691 households have referred into the Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP), generating carbon savings and over £770,000 in energy bill reductions and financial benefits.

Work undertaken at bus facilities in response to COVID-19 measures has ensured that public transport can be used safely.

School pupils created artwork for BCP Council’s Leave Only Footprints campaign, to encourage care of the environment by visitors.

We have created a decision impact assessment tool that allows all projects, decisions and policies to be assessed against sustainability criteria such as climate change.

Staff have been surveyed on their pandemic home working experiences. This has helped us introduce our planned new ways of working to decrease commuting and work travel

Climate change presentations have been given to staff and councillors by Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project.

Electric vehicle charging points have been installed at council depots.

We are looking to trial an electric refuse collection vehicle and electric road sweepers.

We have formed a Centre of Excellence to help prepare and protect residents and communities across the BCP and neighbouring areas from coastal flooding and erosion.