The Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark, has said we "all have a part to play" in tackling climate change and that Bridport Town Council is doing all it can to achieve a sustainable future.

Cllr Bark made the comments in his latest blog, following two concerning news reports by the BBC. 

These reported that 2023 is set to be one of the hottest years on record, even warmer than 2022's heatwave summer, and that government efforts to improve England's environment and to protect the natural world are falling "far short" of what is needed.

Cllr Bark said these news reports were "the tip of the iceberg in terms of the evidence concerning mankind's impact on the planet we universally call home, and the underwhelming impact that efforts to mitigate it are having".

He added: "It is easy to lay the blame at the door of government at national and local level, and businesses both large and small for the situation we find ourselves in globally and expect them to 'do something about it'. But the reality is that we all have a part to play in 'doing something about it'. 

"That said, we need to continue to put pressure on our national government in particular, because it is only there that the policy changes and funding needed to turn words into deeds can happen."

In 2019 Bridport Town Council (BTC) declared a Climate Emergency and committed funds totalling £100,000 towards delivering climate change mitigation projects.

Projects already in delivered include:

• Installation of double glazing at Mountfield
• Installation of solar panels to provide energy generation and charging facilities at Plottingham car park
• Establishing and delivering the Energy Champions programme
• Implementation of a procurement policy for BTC that supports a net zero carbon future whilst promoting local businesses tackling the climate emergency
• Adoption of a 'Climate First' planning policy based on policies in the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan cross referenced with 'rising to the Climate Crisis'
• Working with Bridport Business Chamber to promote the reduction of single use plastics; promote locally produced goods; promote shopping local, e.g. Totally Locally, and encourage energy reduction measures (i.e. keeping shop doors shut in winter)
• Climate impact is now one of the key determinants in all grant giving
• Development of an Investment Plan to support businesses in the transition to a net zero future and develop sustainable local economy
• Replaced a diesel power grounds maintenance vehicle with an electric one which is charged using power generated by the Plottingham solar array
• Supported tree planting initiatives across the town
• Revised the verge and opens spaces grass management policy to make it more wildlife friendly
• Supported local food groups in a variety of ways including facilitating the annual Food and Beer Festival and part funding initiatives
• Introduction of a Carbon Offset Budget which sits alongside the Fiscal Budget.

Cllr Bark added: "With the limited funds it has available I believe Bridport Town Council is doing all it can to work towards achieving a sustainable future for our town. But I am sure there will be local residents who think it should be doing more. 

"By all means challenge the town council to do more, but as you do so, question what national government, Dorset Council, and you yourself are doing to work towards achieving a sustainable future."

West Dorset MP welcomes ban on single-use plastics

Meanwhile, West Dorset MP Chris Loder has welcomed a 'far-reaching ban' on single-use plastics in England, recently announced by the government.

The MP has strongly welcomed the government announcement, believing a 'great step forward' has been made for safeguarding West Dorset's coastal waters.

The government's single-use plastic ban:

• Includes single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and some types of polystyrene cups and food containers
• From October 2023, retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitability industry will not be allowed to sell these
• It does not include wet wipes or sachets - but the government says it is considering measures to address these
• Scotland and Wales introduced similar legislation in 2021

Speaking of the announcement, Mr Loder said: "I am in huge support of the government for introducing this decisive action that will be a great step forward in restoring the quality of our coastal water as well as our local environment more widely. 

"I called for precisely this course of action two years ago, and as MP I will continue doing all I can to ensure this move makes the impact I know it can."