Climate change

Hampshire's Countryside Service is committed to combatting climate change.

Countryside and sunny skies Countryside and sunny skies

Addressing carbon reduction and climate change resilience together shows our commitment to making sure our environment, infrastructure and communities are prepared, while ensuring we continue to deliver our services too.

Hampshire County Council declared a Climate Emergency in June 2019, with two targets set for the County Council and Hampshire as a whole:

  • to be carbon neutral by 2050
  • preparing to be resilient to the impact of a 2°C temperature rise

Hampshire Countryside Service are working with services and partners to ensure we do all we can to:

  • help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions
  • increase biodiversity
  • make us as resilient as possible to climate change issues

Our plans include:

  • using our land and built estate to sequester carbon
  • making changes across our vehicle fleet
  • making the food we serve our customers more sustainable
  • ensuring we consider climate impacts when purchasing products and services
  • promote changes that we can all make at work and at home.

Find out more information about Hampshire County Council’s response to climate change: Responding to climate change.

Woodland path

Changes we’re making

Reflections and Connections Woodland

Seven hectares of newly created woodland which aims to create an accessible area for both staff and visitors at River Hamble Country Park.

The new woodland aims to:

  • create spaces to connect with friends and family and to reflect on the Covid-19 pandemic
  • increase biodiversity
  • create a green corridor across the country park
  • introduce experimental planting with climate change resilient tree species 
gloved hands digging in soil 

Eco barn project at River Hamble Country Park

The Barn at River Hamble Country Park is not just a welcoming hub for visitors to enjoy, but a showcase of climate-friendly facilities and innovation – all with the aim of protecting the environment and preserving nature.

The Barn has several environmental considerations in its design to be as climate resilient as possible, including:

  • renewable energy - harnessing and storing solar energy to heat and power the building
  • locally sourced materials - choosing local building materials such as the chestnut cladding sourced on site. Using local contractors to reduce the carbon miles
  • reusing - wool insulation left over from another project has been used in the roof

Reduce, reuse, recycle

We aim to inspire our visitors to make lifestyle changes to reduce waste, reuse and recycle where possible.

Across the service we aim to:

  • only use reusable cutlery and cups
  • compost rubbish
  • have a plant-based focus on our café menu
  • source produce locally
  • minimise food packaging and use sustainable materials where we can 

coffee in a recycled cup

Electric vehicles (EV)

We have a fleet of electric vans used by the Woodland and Trees Team and our partners Bird Aware, which are helping us to achieve our aim of being carbon neutral by 2050. 

With EV charging points available at all our country parks, you can now recharge your vehicles while you enjoy your visit and contribute to lowering carbon emissions.

an electric van at a charging point

How you can help

Are you looking for ways you can reduce your impact on the environment? Check out Smart Living to find out how you can help at home. Or find out other ways you can help tackle climate change.