We are delighted to launch a Climate and Natural Environment Newsletter.
We are keen to keep you updated on all of the work being done within the borough regarding climate change, biodiversity, trees, heritage and more.
Havant Borough Council acknowledges climate change and is committed to addressing this through improving its own systems, supporting residents and businesses in positive change and through addressing biodiversity in its planning processes.
At Havant, we are striving to become a net zero council by 2035 and a net zero borough by 2045. This new strategy and action plan outlines how Havant Borough Council can take the first steps to achieve this and where the focus needs to be to make the most effective change within our control for our borough.
The term climate change refers to a change in global and regional climate patterns. It is usually used in the context of man-made effects on the environment – causing rapid increases of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
It is universally accepted that climate change is caused by burning fossil fuels – oil and gas. Natural deposits of fossil fuels took hundreds of millions of years to form, and by burning them, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
The result of increased carbon dioxide is to trap heat. The rate of change is altering climate patterns, increasing the severity and intensity of storms, locally increased extremes of hotter or colder weather and making weather unpredictable.
The impact on biodiversity (natural ecosystems and wildlife) is devastating.
Changes to the climate are outpacing the ability of the natural world to evolve and adapt.
The council wants to address the climate crisis by enabling everyone to play their part. We have pledged to address our own emissions, and for operations and decisions to be climate aware. We aim to embed climate-friendly policies though the Local Plan, in our communities, and how we make investments in infrastructure.
Our local natural environment is included in our approach, because it adds to wellbeing and makes Havant a great place to live, work and visit.
In line with the council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Havant Borough Council is pleased to release its first baseline report of carbon emissions, detailing those emissions generated by the authority.
Since the authority declared a climate change emergency in November 2024 and released its latest Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, HBC has been working proactively to establish its baseline of emissions. This foundation will allow the authority to accurately track and report on changes within this field, allowing the authority to be clear on what reductions are required where in order to work towards the achievement of the net zero goals set.
In order to achieve these ambitious targets, it's important to understand what work is required to best support the authority and in time, residents of HBC in making informed carbon reduction choices. The council started conducting its enquiries in 2025 to source and gather the data required to inform the baseline and the intention is that this report will be updated yearly to track and report on these emissions and to include additional data which explain the scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions clearly.
Although the contribution of these emissions can be considered small, they have the potential to create significant impacts, particularly in a coastal authority such as Havant. The authority acknowledges its role of leadership in this field and therefore wants to be proactive and supportive of identifying and implementing work that considers carbon reduction and removal. This is with the aim of protecting and ensuring the longevity of the borough in its current form for current and future residents.