We have already begun in West Dorset, and nationally, to put changes in place to protect the environment and deal with the climate crisis. However much more needs to be done, everybody acknowledges this.
In June 2019 Dorset Council declared a climate emergency and as a local authority has pledged to play its part in helping 'tackle this growing danger while we still have time to make a difference'.
The UK has already reduced emissions by 42% while growing the economy by 72% and the government has put clean growth at the heart of its modern Industrial Strategy. See plans for the Dorset LEP Industrial Strategy for Dorset
In the third quarter of 2019, the UK’s windfarms, solar panels, biomass and hydro plants generated more electricity than the combined output from power stations fired by coal, oil and gas.
National Grid said the UK recorded its longest ever continuous coal-free period over the Easter bank holiday weekend, lasting more than 167 hours. It marks the longest stretch of time in which the UK's electricity has been produced by other means since before the industrial revolution, which began in the 1700s.
A Conservative majority government pledges to:
ON RIGHTS
Raise standards in areas like workers’ rights, animal welfare, agriculture and the environment.
ON ENVIRONMENT
Prioritise the environment in the next Budget, investing in the infrastructure, science and research that will deliver economic growth, not just through the 2020s, but for decades to come.
Build environmentally friendly homes, supporting the creation of new kinds of homes that have low energy bills and which support environmental targets. It is expected all new streets will be lined with trees
Set up a new independent Office For Environmental Protection and introduce our own legal targets, including for air quality.
Plant an additional 75,000 acres of trees a year by the end of the next Parliament, as well as restoring our peatland.
Create offshore wind production of 40GW by 2030
£800 million investment in carbon capture
£500 million to support energy-intensive industries' move to low carbon.
ON DEFORESTATION
Set up new international partnerships to tackle deforestation and protect vital landscapes and wildlife corridors.
ON PLASTIC POLLUTION
Establish a new £500 million Blue Planet Fund to help protect our oceans from plastic pollution, warming sea temperatures and overfishing, and extend the Blue Belt programme to preserve the maritime environment. We will continue to lead diplomatic efforts to protect 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030.
ON CLEAN TRANSPORT
Support clean transport to ensure clean air, as well as setting strict new laws on air quality. We will consult on the earliest date by which we can phase out the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars.
ON FRACKING
The Conservative government has already placed a moratorium on fracking in England with immediate effect. Having listened to local communities, we have ruled out changes to the planning system. We will not support fracking unless the science shows categorically that it can be done safely.
To read the Conservatives Manifesto in full and for more details on its environmental policies visit: https://vote.conservatives.com/our-plan
