This section explains what sustainable development is and the strategies and action plans aimed at taking it forward in Dorset.

Dorset County Council has made a commitment to taking forward sustainable development as an integral part of delivering its services, right across the authority.

The Earth's climate has changed many times in response to natural causes. The term climate change refers to the man-made changes that have occurred since the early 1900's.

There are two approaches to tackling climate change

Everyone has a role to play in tackling climate change whether at an international, national or local level.

North Dorset District Council takes the issue of Climate Change seriously, and has committed to take action to tackle the issue by making it a corporate priority. The council has set a 25% reduction target of CO2 emissions by 2013 and 30% reduction by 2020. The baseline emissions for the council have been calculated and stand at 1.302 tonnes of CO2. This is made up of 63% from council buildings and 37% from transport.