skip to main content
Environmental Issues

Environmental Issues

Listening to You - Climate Conversation Engagement 2022

""

Huntingdonshire District Council recently called on residents to take part in dedicated 'Climate Conversation' focus groups that will help shape our Climate Strategy. The engagement stage in now complete and we would like to thank all those who participated and shared their thoughts with us.

Your insights will help us as we move forward to the next stage of the Climate Strategy as well as help support Huntingdonshire Futures - a new strategy that will shape a vision for the future of the district by incorporating People, Place, the Economy and Environment.

We engaged with over 200 individuals and young people across the district, including: 1 primary school, 1 secondary school, 1 college, 1 youth group and 8 people from low income families. To explore people's concerns about climate change and their priorities for change. "We should be eating from our own landscape" "There are green spaces for people and green spaces for nature, not every green place should have people in it" "I am conscious of what I buy and where it comes from" "We'd be happy to make changes, but the price has got to be more reasonable" "There needs to be an 8 to 80 approach to cycling, you should feel safe cycling on your own whether you're 8 or 80" "I think a lot about my environmental impact. But I've never thought about the impact of going on holiday"

Climate Strategy – Infographic Survey Results Between February and March 2022, the Council surveyed residents about their views on the environment and climate change with the objective of: • Understanding resident priorities for Council action • Identifying actions already being taken by residents and support needed to increase uptake • Understanding the impact of extreme weather events and local levels of adaptation to climate change 415 fully completed survey responses (with an additional 110 partial responses). Energy consumption and renewables: 73% of residents thought that HDC should support the development of renewable energy. 13% of residents link renewable energy to climate change. 88% of residents had installed energy efficiency measures to reduce their electricity consumption. Natural environment: When asked to identify the issues linked to climate change 20% of residents selected floods, 19% selected hotter weather, 16% air quality / pollution, and 12% planting trees. In terms of actions which residents think HDC should take - 83% supported restoring nature and planting trees, with 18% ranking it as their top priority. In relation to the impact of climate change residents were most concerned about flooding, and storms and high winds. Travel and transport: 46% of residents think HDC should switch to using electric vehicles. 42% think HDC should encourage staff to reduce car travel. 63% of residents reported that they have reduced their travel by car. 30% said that they weren’t able to reduce their car use, giving reasons that included a lack of public transport alternatives. Waste recycling and resource management: 13% think of residents think of recycling and waste reduction as an issue linked to climate change. 92% of residents report that they have already taken steps to maximise their recycling and reduce waste. 1/3 A third indicated they would like more advice on maximising recycling / reducing waste. Community: 48% of respondents ranked it as ‘Essential’ that the Council take action on Climate Change, while a further 29% ranked it ‘Very important’. 12% of residents think the Council should provide advice and guidance on access to information and funding for residents and businesses to help them tackle climate change. Built environment: 78% of residents thought that HDC should make use of its planning powers to change the rules for new developments so that they met sustainability standards One fifth of respondents have had their home or business damaged by extreme weather events.