Concern over cut to Hampshire County Council climate change budget

HAMPSHIRE county councillors say they are worried about a plan to reduce spending on climate change by 40% in the coming year.

According to council papers, roughly £320,000 will be designated to cope with climate change and environmental strategy, writes Natalia Forero of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

That compares with the £530,000 that was allocated in the 2022/23 budget.

Cllr Jonathan Glen, a Conservative, remarked at a meeting that they “need to re-examine Hampshire 2050” – a council vision for the future of the county.

“The urgency of climate change is unmistakable. This environmental threat is something we are all very well aware of,” he added.

He was speaking at a meeting of the Hampshire 2050, corporate services and resources select committee.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Adrian Collett said: “A 40% reduction for climate change funding is huge and will surely impact our battle against it. We need facts and proper information because I wonder how we would deal with that.

“I think this is a very serious issue and support whatever needs to be done.

“It is frightening. We need to find ways to help people understand the seriousness of what we face and we must be all pushing in the same direction.

"It’s not just about plastics in the sea or Greta Thunberg being arrested. This is about survival.

“Climate change must be halted and reversed because the ramifications could well be felt by children being born today.

"We mustn’t wash our hands of it but we also cannot do this on our own. We are responsible for delivering the right message to the citizens.”

In the afternoon session, members agreed to review the budget allocated for the environment due to the high concern.

The council’s next steps include the development of an energy strategy to support long-term supply as well as delivering net-zero carbon emissions, encouraging Hampshire sites to support carbon neutrality, and developing commercial opportunities available through green activities.

By implementing communication campaigns, education and behavioural changes for their partners and communities, the organisation will aim to foster this change.